And here comes the next chapter and let me tell you this: It's starting to get interesting ;)

And many, many thanks to everyone who commented on here lately.
I appreciate this very, very much. You have no idea how much that means to me :)
This story has become my "baby" and I just love working on it and feedback is very, very important for me when it comes to this story,
since this story is still a very big challenge for me to write (And it's a pain in the a** to translate, let me tell you this!)

I hope you enjoy the next chapter^^

Chapter 13

In the evening of the same day, all the warriors among the angels had gathered on the big square, where God had all presented them his new creation just a few days ago.

The place where Lucifer had rebelled against his father's will...

Disbelief, shock, fear...

All this could be seen in all their faces.

Not a single one of them spoke a word, hardly moved a muscle and even the youngest among them dared not speak.

Too great was the fear of the impending battle, because God had spoken to them and had told them everything.

He had told them about the Mark on Lucifer's arm, up to the order he had given to the oldest among them.

Hardly an angel could still believe what Lucifer had done...what he was about to do...

And hardly any of them could imagine how heavy the burden was, that Michael had to carry now, because he would be the one, who would banish Lucifer from heaven and cast into the underworld, so the paradise could live in peace again.

And no warrior of God would have ever thought of having to draw his sword for heaven again, because they all had thought, with the banishment of the darkness all problems would have been solved.

That this was not the case, they all got to feel in a very painful way now.

And for Gabriel it had to be the worst situation ever, because the young messenger could not believe what Lucifer had done, but he had heard his treacherous words with his own ears, and he had seen with his own eyes what he was capable of, when he had injured Michael so badly.

But no matter what Lucifer had done, he was still his brother and he couldn't...didn't want to fight against him in battle!

But he didn't want to disappoint his eldest brother, because he was still on his side.

He knew that Michael wanted this just as much as he or Raphael or any other angel of heaven, but Lucifer gave them all no choice and God had spoken, and his words had to be obeyed.

But Gabriel just didn't understand why God had given them such a command.

Wasn't he the almighty God?

The one who could destroy all evil?

And couldn't he save Lucifer?

He had asked him exactly this question, but God had told him the same thing that he had answered Michael already:

Lucifer had been possessed by the darkness and not even the Lord was able to save his soul and so he had no choice but to impose the exile over his son and it should be Michael, who would send his brother into exile.

It would be a terrible and bloody way; Gabriel knew that, because Lucifer wouldn't admit defeat that easily.

After all, what Michael and Raphael had told him, Lucifer had already collected an army and he was willing to go against God and his brothers and sisters in war. He wanted to claim the throne of the Lord for himself, had even threatened to kill God and Gabriel couldn't believe any of this!

What had become of his big brother, who had raised him so lovingly, who had always fooled around with him, had played with him and had always been there for him whenever he had felt bad?

He couldn't have forgotten any of this!

Somewhere in his heart still had to be the angel, he once was and Gabriel wouldn't give up the hope to get this angel back...

His thoughts took a sudden end, when movement came into the host of angels, because now all turned their heads to the left and Gabriel followed suit and he had to swallow hard at the sight.

Michael was on the way to them and his appearance was so imposing that it even intimidated the mightiest angels among them.

He had put on his warrior armor and his sword and his shield.

His armor was black as night and was made for protecting his torso against any attack. The breastplate was decorated with golden ornaments and ended in a black/golden and ornate warrior's skirt, which was moved by a gentle breeze. White silk covered his arms. His shoes were almost as magnificent as the rest of his armor, for he wore sandals, which were attached to a complicated-looking lace up his legs and were decorated with ornaments to honor God. On his head the mighty angel was wearing a black helmet, on which stuck a large plume of red feathers, which lent his appearance to something royal. A long red cloak was flowing behind him in the wind and in his left hand he held his shield and Gabriel could see that his sword stuck in the scabbard, which was attached to his left hip.

He still hadn't drawn his sword yet, which meant that the battle had not yet begun, but instead of being relieved, a tremor went through his body, which didn't get better when Michael came to a halt in front the angelic host.

The look in his eyes was so hard and cold that Gabriel shuddered heavily, because he had never seen his brother like this before.

There was no warmth in his eyes, no more joy that sparkled in them.

There was only boundless anger and determination to fight for God and heaven and it was exactly what he expected of his brothers and sisters, who were now standing here in front of him, waiting for his orders.

But when Gabriel looked around, he could see in all their eyes that hardly any of them was willing to go against one of their own into battle.

But he also knew that none of them would refuse their prince.

They would unconditionally follow Michael's commands, no matter what he would command them to do.

And Gabriel would do the same...

When Michael stood before his brothers and sisters, he spread his majestic wings out to their full span and remained in this position.

He still said nothing, as he watched the angels that would soon fight at his side.

Then he opened his mouth to speak to them:

"Hear me, you angels of God! Father called me to him in the morning to give me a task. He ordered me to gather the hosts of heaven and go into battle against Lucifer. And now you stand here before me, you proud warriors of heaven. Bravely you have already fought and my heart hurts to ask for your assistance in this battle again, but I will do it anyways: Will you fight at my side when I command you? And will you raise your swords against those who you once called your brothers and sisters to protect our father's kingdom?"

When the angels responded to Michael's question, Gabriel closed his eyes as the only of them and tried to forget everything around him.

All this couldn't be real!

But when he opened his eyes again, his big brother was still standing there before him in full armor and to his sides his brothers and sisters were standing, ready to go into war. With raised arms they called Michael the answer he had wanted to hear.

Heaven seemed to tremble under the din that they caused.

These angels would remain at his side and fight for him and heaven.

And they would follow him even to death, if they needed to...