Chapter 1 – In The Beginning
In the beginning, while the Earth was still being made, God created the first angels. They were not soldiers originally, like they are now. They were simply God's companions, his children, peaceful and kind, well-deserving of the phrase "guardian angel" for that is what they were created to become – the guardians of the Earth. They started as just four brothers, devoted to their Father who planned to raise them into the four most respected angels in Heaven: the archangels.
The oldest brother was named Michael. He was proud and strong-willed, prepared to do anything God told him to do. He proved to be the perfect little soldier in the years to follow, when God's plans were turned on their head.
The second oldest was Lucifer. He was quiet, calm, and collected, incredibly smart and very opinionated. His love and devotion to his Father was unrivaled, almost to a flaw. He could not imagine loving any other thing in Creation as much as his Father, not even his other three brothers, whom he did indeed love very much.
Next was Raphael. Like Michael, he was very proud and obedient to God. He took his role as an archangel very seriously and felt very obligated to always do his duty. Despite his pride, Raphael did not really care what others thought of him on first glance, so long as his dignity was still intact.
The youngest brother was named Gabriel. He was very different from his three older brothers. They were all much more serious than he was and driven by their pride of being archangels. Gabriel was playful and teasing, a bit rebellious, and slightly cocky. He got along best with Lucifer, who taught him every trick he knew and thought his little brother's spunk was charming. Gabriel loved his Father and was willing to obey him, despite his own rebellious nature. But what set him apart from his brothers the most was his fascination with Earth. He thought his Father's creation was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen and could never get enough of just watching it.
It started when he was very young, just a fledgling, playing atop the puffs of clouds as his Father watched over him. Gabriel got tired and flopped down near the edge of a cloud. From there, he had the perfect view of the Earth down below and he was mesmerized. As he grew older, he kept returning to the clouds so he could gaze down at the Earth. As he learned to fly, he waited for the day when his wings were strong enough that he could fly down to Earth and see it all up close. But when he went on his first real flight with Lucifer, his older brother forbid it.
"It's too dangerous. You're too young," he said.
Gabriel listened to his brother, but he was heartbroken. Still, every day, he went out and sat on a cloud and just watched the Earth, wishing he could go down and explore but afraid that Lucifer would get angry at him and tell Father. Despite being rebellious and extremely clever, he never dreamed that Lucifer would not be relaying to him their Father's direct orders and he would never truly disobey anything God commanded.
Soon God began making more angels. Michael, Lucifer, and Raphael helped him raise their new siblings, but Gabriel was always off among the clouds, daydreaming of Earth. One day, when he was gazing down at what would eventually be northern Russia, God came to find him.
"Gabriel, my son," he said.
The young archangel stood up immediately and turned to face him.
"Yes, Father?"
"You have spent far too much time on this cloud," God said. "Your brothers have been helping me raise the new angels. Now it is your turn."
"Me? Raise angels? I'm hardly qualified, I'm the youngest. I've never had to look after anyone, even myself. Lucifer always did that for me," Gabriel protested.
"You've looked over the Earth, haven't you?" said God.
"Yes, but that's different. The Earth is... well... a thing. Angels... my own siblings..." Gabriel trailed off.
"I think you'll find it is not so very different. Come, son, and meet your new brother."
Gabriel followed God back into heaven. They walked up to Michael, who was holding a tiny angel whose wings had not even begun to grow in. God took the baby from Michael and held him out to Gabriel, who took him nervously.
"This is Balthazar," said God. "He will be your first charge. I know you will take good care of him."
Gabriel looked up at his Father uncertainly.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Absolutely. Trust me, Gabriel," said God.
Gabriel nodded and looked back down at the little angel in his arms. He had sandy blonde hair and blue-grey eyes that crinkled in the corners as he smiled wonderingly up at his big brother. Gabriel couldn't help but smile back.
"Hello Balthazar," he murmured. "I hope you're ready for an adventure."