Chapter 1: Before the Rebellion

Her name was Cassiel, a beautiful angel with wavy black hair and piercing green eyes. Innocence surrounded her aura, drawing other angels to her for solitude and comfort from their sadness. Sadness? Yes, angels feel grief as well as pure joy, love and pride; any excess in some of the more sinful emotions was unheard of, until the Rebellion. Life before the Rebellion had been full of wonder and amazement; before their very eyes they watched as things changed. It was the very cause of curiosity that drove the others to battle. Man. They were unlike the other creatures created after them; man possessed conscious thoughts, emotions, with few rules, making some angels envious. Everyone believed that soon the angels would be replaced with man and woman. It started with one, then the others followed close behind and soon there was a fully-fledged war in the Heavens.

Cassiel was also a warrior, but as an archangel she was at the bottom of the list when it came to fighting a battle. She had the power and ability that was greater than other angels, but in comparison to the other six: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael, Samael, and Camael, she was a weakling. Since the other archangels were always around, there was no need for her to use those abilities until they relied on her to help them fight the resistance.

She ran down the corridors, late again for a meeting with the others…her reason for being late was always the same, Armaros. Cassiel knew him ever since she could remember and he never left her side for very long; he was a lesser angel but that never mattered. Out of breath she almost broke down the door of the conference room as she entered. They took no notice of her and didn't resume their talking till she had taken a seat.

"We must start preparing for a war Michael," Gabriel urged.

But Michael was still skeptical that it would progress that far. "We aren't even sure who we're fighting yet brother…we could be condemning innocent angels."

He made Raphael sigh, "a safe place for others should be established so no innocent blood will spill and it would help us when the time comes."

Cassiel was surprised by the conversation of today's meeting. At their last meeting it was determined that a rebellion was only a rumor. "Can the seven of us defeat a large army willing to die for their cause?"

The room went silent with her question and Michael looked down at his notes, "Samael…has refused to respond to my messages, I fear he might be on their side."

Uriel let a groan and got up from the table and stormed out.

"Typical Uriel…We have no need to be discouraged or worry. And yes can defeat our enemy," Camael said.

"I'm going to check on Uriel," Cassiel excused herself and left the conference room to help the angered archangel.

She found him sitting on a bench with his head in his hands; Cassiel took a seat next to him.

"I know...Samael's betrayal is hard to understand. The reason for this whole rebellion is even more incomprehensible. But we cannot let others be strayed away, and if this battle does go down and the threat becomes greater they will be sent into exile. We will never see them again."

He looked up at her, "I know. I'm just confused…Samael…I never thought he'd turn against us you know? We're like a family Cassiel; I would never do something to hurt you guys."

She turned to him and gave him a hug, "Me too, I just want things to go back to how they used to be."

The others walked past them and said to keep an eye out and start telling others to not give into the resistance.

As she was returning to her duties, Cassiel ran into Armaros.

"Hey, how was the meeting?"

She sighed, "The usual, Uriel got angry…Raphael was the voice of reason and Michael pushed us to focus on the problem and prepare for war."

He looked at her troubled, "War? They really think so?"

Cassiel nodded, "Samael didn't come to the meeting…Michael thinks he's with them. Other angels like him…if he's with them then who know how many will join to follow his lead."

Taking her hand he rubbed his softly, "don't worry about it…you guys will find them and they will be punished. Things will be peaceful again."

"Yeah…" she nodded, "I really do hope you're right."

Then he reached into the pocket of his robe and pulled out something, "I made this for you"

Cassiel looked at his hand curiously as he opened it, "Armaros you shouldn't have…" She smiled taking the small ring and placed it on her finger, "It's beautiful."

"Almost as much as you…" he added.

Quicker than his eyes could move she gave him a tight hug of appreciation and love, "I am lucky to have you..." she whispered in his ear then let him go.

"I gotta get back to work…and so should you," he reminded.

Reluctantly she left to go and retrieve the papers that Gabriel had asked to obtain….she thought about the events taking place and wondered why a higher power wasn't doing something to correct the problem...When she looked back up, Cassiel realized she was looking at Samael. Her mouth was too dry for words…

"Join me Cassiel…are you going to let those lesser beings get more attention than us? Are you going to become a slave for them like you are already? We are not meant to be slaves or pawns for someone's giant plan…if we can grow in numbers and form this resistance we can take back what's ours."

She took some steps back from him in fear, his essence…intents…were of evil and she could feel it.

He stepped closer to her, "you can trust me Cassiel…have I ever lied to you before?"

She shook her head and hit a wall behind her, he had her cornered.

A smile crept upon his face, "What's wrong? Are you…afraid of me now?" Samael laughed.

Gabriel cleared his throat as he appeared behind Samael, making him turn around.

"Back off Gabriel…this discussion doesn't concern you," he warned and turned back to her. But Gabe wasn't going to leave her with the betrayer and Samael knew this, "I SAID LEAVE!" he roared and turned around, striking Gabriel in the head with his fist.

Cassiel was shocked and covered her mouth to gasp, "Gabe…"

He fell to the ground and Samuel looked at her. In anger for what he did to Gabriel, Cassiel let out her wings and soon a sword appeared in her hand ready for battle.

"You want to fight me little one?" He teased her.

Then others appeared behind him with swords in their hands…eyes red with anger; Cassiel was suddenly out numbered.