Chapter 36: Shift

Strong hands yanked Alex forward, moving him at a clipped pace to the gate. The doors opened slowly and he could see debris just outside the city walls. The sunlight was almost blinding as he stepped outside and into the desert. Noma was right behind him, along with David and Ethan struggling to stay upright. The elite wardens shoved them forward and set up a perimeter around the outside of the entrance.

A moment passed as Alex blinked into the brightness, his sight rapidly adjusting. He stepped forward, taking in the overwhelming spectacle of trucks and weapons. The line stretched as far out as he could see, disappearing off into the distance. Noma stood next to him, studying the vehicles down the road. She spotted Raphael still standing on the hood of his truck while Raguel stood in front of hers. "They're here for something more, Alex."

"You're right," a voice called out from behind her.

They turned to find Arika stepping through the gate with several more black-clad wardens. One of which was carrying a bullhorn. Arika kept her distance, staying close to the door in case she needed to make a hasty retreat. But she smiled, exuding calm. "They've come for the city. They're guilty of what we're all guilty of…greed. The city's resources would be most useful to New Delphi and the Camp."

Alex glanced at Noma briefly, wondering what to believe. Did it even matter anymore? He needed the strife to end between all of them. Gabriel caused more discord just by the threat of his existence. He shook his head slightly, pausing as he finally noticed that there were angels hanging in the air above.

Several higher angels landed on the roofs of various trucks behind Raphael. Their feathers ruffled in the breeze as they waited. Others remained in the sky, hanging just under Azrael as she scanned the expanse. She had a small comms unit in her ear to report back to the two angels below. Staring down at the Chosen One, she waited with unusual calm.

Alex stared up at her and wondered which side she was really on. He squinted into the light and noticed that there were no eightballs in the crowd.

Arika took the bullhorn from the nearby soldier. "TAKE YOUR TRUCKS AND LEAVE. AND TAKE YOUR PRECIOUS CHOSEN ONE."

Standing next to Ethan, David cringed at the bullhorn's intensity. Having similar thoughts of escape, both men had stepped further to the side, hoping to stay out of the direct line of fire. Ethan, however, lingered as he stared at his two friends in front of him and waited like everyone else.

Yet there was no answer from the frontline, only a shift in energy as the two archangels conferred. Raphael jumped down from the truck and leaned into Raguel. Time seemed to stop as everyone waited under the bright light.

And then someone darted down from the drifting clouds above. A blonde blur flew towards them only to be assaulted by the sudden onslaught of Azrael. She tackled the blonde angel and they rolled in the sand, coming to a halt in front of Alex and Noma.

A second later, Azrael was already up on her feet in a fighting stance with sword in hand, glaring at Uriel, who took her time as she slowly stood up, weaponless and frazzled. Her hair was a mess and she was wearing her high priestess clothing. She made no sudden moves, eyeing Azrael's sword.

Behind Alex, Arika inhaled sharply and took an involuntary step forward. Concern shot through her as she stared at her lover. She had not been in touch with Uriel since she left Vega. It was all part of the plan, but she knew that dealing with Gabriel would have its risks. However, she didn't think he would hurt his own sister. Her heart went out to the angel.

Uriel looked frazzled, splaying her hands out with a desperate cry. "No no no… Azrael! Help me!" she sputtered. She jerked about as if she was having muscle spasms. Exhausted and off-kilter. "I…I…"

Arika moved closer with the wardens flowing around her, keeping vigil. "Uriel, are you alright?"

The archangel's frightened face turned to her lover's voice. "Evelyn…Evelyn what have you done?"

Evelyn stared at her, remembering her resolve. Uriel said her real name. "Why are you here?"

Uriel stumbled closer, focusing on the queen. "I loved you." Her words spilled over themselves.

Azrael swiftly flew forward and yanked the archangel backwards. "Explain yourself, Uriel!" Her grip on the blonde's arm was formidable and the archangel looked up at her in confusion. She looked small and vulnerable, like a child. It was so unlike the Uriel that Azrael knew. It disturbed her.

The sound of more wings announced Michael's presence and the wardens pulled Evelyn back, moving closer to the entrance of the city. Michael dropped down onto the sand. "STOP! Azreal!" he yelled.

Azrael gave him a look, but made no move to put the sword away. She stared down at the blonde angel and asked again. "Explain yourself. What have you done?"

Michael shrugged his wings away, making them disappear as he moved closer to them. The archangel was well aware that they were all on display at the moment, with an audience poised for some signal to charge at them. He walked past Alex and Noma, exchanging glances with her as he moved.

Alex's glare burned into the angel. "Are you a part of this?"

The angel paused and turned to them as Noma quietly asked, "Do you have a plan?"

"This will only end badly." Michael scanned the area, and watched as Azrael shoved his sister backward, causing her to stumble.

Alex shifted, his hands balled into fists. "Where have you been?"

Focusing on the Chosen One, Michael knew that their reunion would not be a pleasant one. But he had hoped it would be under different circumstances. He couldn't help but feel proud of how different Alex seemed. He looked older and more seasoned. Perhaps more grown up. And then there was a sense of power that seemed to be shining through him. Michael involuntarily smiled at the boy, even though he felt the animosity towards him. "I have been looking for you."

"You've been looking for me?" he spat out as he shifted forward. "To kill me? To use me? For what, Michael?"

The archangel blinked, smile gone. "No…I…"

"What is this for?" he pointed to his tattoos. "What am I really supposed to do with these? Did you learn anything while you were gone?"

"This may not be the opportune time to discuss this, Alex."

"Then when is the time?! When?" The blonde man's body trembled with adrenaline and anger. He scowled at the tall angel as Noma ran her hand down his arm, attempting to calm him down.

"He has Claire!" Uriel blurted out, interrupting the tension. "They have Claire!"

Alex immediately turned to the blonde angel, feeling his heart beat even faster. They all watched as Uriel staggered closer to him. Her body jerking about in an odd way. She confessed in a strangled tone, "I didn't understand, Michael. I wanted peace, like you. I want Father to come back. I just want it all to stop."

"So you betray me, sister?" Michael retorted.

Azrael stepped closer, still focused on Uriel. "Where is Gabriel?"

"Where is Claire?" Alex chimed in, stepping away from Michael.

A sound came from the front line and the angels turned to look over at the line of trucks. Raphael stood out front and center with his oversized purple wings stretching up to the sky. No one else moved by the trucks, all patiently waiting. And then he pulled his wings close to his body, yet left them out and visible. It was as if it had been Raphael who made the sound.

The shift in energy among Noma and Michael made Alex cringe. They knew something. "This was your plan? To bring every person here to this place? Really?" Shaking his head in frustration, he turned to Uriel. "What did Gabriel do with Claire? Where is she?"

She shook her head, her eyes moist with tears. "I didn't…"

Scowling, his hands vibrated with adrenaline as he stepped closer and grabbed her. His voice was low as he demanded, "Where?"

She looked at him with remorseful eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks as she whispered, "I didn't think…I wanted to make it better. You were supposed to make it better, Alex."

Evelyn's breath hitched as she saw her lover's body language. "Let go of her!"

Alex ignored her, but glanced momentarily at Azrael who hovered nearby. Looking back down, he almost missed the slight change in Uriel's demeanor. But something had shifted behind those eyes and she felt different. It was just enough of a warning to let go of her. She still appeared remorseful, but Alex knew something had changed.

Without blinking, Uriel stared at Michael and then at Raphael off in the distance. Her voice was sober and the tears had stopped. "How did you really think this was going to end?"

"We can end this without bloodshed!" Raguel's voice echoed over the desert sand. She stood waiting between trucks, with the microphone in her hand.

Uriel grimaced as she scanned the lineup. "You all stand with Michael? You too, Raguel?" she paused, a hurt look on her face. Then she turned back to the angels closest to her. "You've all chosen poorly! You have no idea!" she laughed abruptly for a moment, jerking forward, her limps twitching. "Do you think Father will return to this? To these creatures who destroy everything? Who destroy their own world? Why would he want to? You are all wrong. All wrong!"

Michael tilted his head slightly as he observed her strange behavior. "Uriel?"

She smirked at him, her face unnaturally joyful. Abruptly clapping her hands like a child, she laughed. "Oh Michael. So blinded. Do you not see? He will make it end. It's inevitable that he will come to the same conclusion that I have. That all of this is fleeting, that it doesn't matter. These lives do not matter. It's in his blood, Michael."

Michael stared at her without blinking. Those were his brother's words. "You don't know what you speak of, Uriel."

"In whose blood? In my blood?" Alex asked, his body rigid.

"Don't listen to her, Alex." Noma hovered nearby, fighting the urge to take Alex and fly off.

Uriel turned away from Michael and focused on Alex. "You had your chance to learn of your father, of your lineage. You had a chance to stand with my brother. To remain loyal to him. Gabriel would have taught you what it meant to be the Chosen One."

Alex scowled at her in disbelief. "Taught me?"

"Your father would have wanted you to rule over this world, this dominion. He would be proud of you!"

"Rule over dead people? He would want me to do what exactly? To slaughter everyone? Have you lost your mind?" Alex fumed.

She clenched her jaw, the amusement gone from her face. Closing her eyes for a moment, she looked as if she were holding her breath, struggling to remain upright. A second passed and her eyes opened. She stared at him with distinct purpose. Stepping closer, she whispered hoarsely, "Claire is gone, Alex. And so is your precious unborn child. Gone! You will never be a father to that quarterling."

And before Alex could react, or anyone else could, Uriel shoved something sharp into his abdomen. He exhaled with a cry of pain and froze as she ripped her short sword up the length of his chest. Burning pain radiated out from where the blade broke skin and Alex's body trembled as it went into shock. He stared at Uriel as his brain tried to comprehend what was happening. A satisfied smile and fascinated look crossed her face as she stared at him and turned the blade.

Someone yelled "NOOOOO!"

And then suddenly Uriel was yanked away, along with the sword. She disappeared from his eyesight as he stumbled forward, released from the impalement. Swaying on his feet he felt someone coming closer to him, but nothing registered properly in his mind. Looking down, Alex touched his chest and then stared absently at the blood on his hands. He knew what had happened, knew who Uriel really was. Why hadn't he seen it coming? Why had he been so stupid?

He clutched at his abdomen and choked on the blood that spurted up into his mouth. He took a step and then fell to his knees. Noma was there already, holding him, putting pressure on his wounds. "No no no!" she chanted, trying to staunch the seepage.

Azrael stood nearby gravely looking down at him, with her swords hanging idly in her hand. She immediately sheathed them and turned to the frontline. "We need you!" she said to someone off in the distance.

Wings announced another angel and Alex gazed up to find the one who had been standing on the truck. It must be Raphael with blue eyes and a concerned look. Alex blinked and felt the world get brighter and brighter. He couldn't see what was happening anymore and the sound of fluttering was getting louder and louder.

"Noma?" he whispered.

And he heard her voice. "Stay… please stay…"

And then everything went silent.

~~~~**D**~~~~

With a roar, Michael ripped Uriel away from Alex. He yanked her backwards, flying and tumbling into the sand as she fought back, shoving her sword at him in mid air. He deflected and hit her back, causing it to drop. And then Michael slammed her backwards so that she landed on her knees.

She stared up at him as he stood over with his sword poised on her neck. He thundered, "What did you do! He's the Chosen One, Uriel! The one is supposed to bring Father back!"

A grin spread over her face as she stared up at him. A choked laugh escaped her bloodied teeth. "My brother, you will never learn."

He glared at her, as she choked out another laugh. It dawned on him then. He was indeed not speaking with his sister, but instead his twin. "Gabriel."

He pulled his sword away from her neck and let shock settle in. Releasing her, he staggered backwards and refused to turn around. Michael knew what he would find and it hurt him. Touching his own chest, he stared blankly at his sister. It felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. He should have known his brother would pull something like this. He should have known.

Uriel laughed hysterically for a moment and then abruptly stopped. The mirth drained out of her eyes and the possession ended as her body slumped down with exhaustion.

Blinking, the blonde archangel shook her head a little as if to clear her vision. Looking up, she wondered what had happened. "Michael?" Uriel asked. "What…what…"

She studied him, his face grave and angry. His body blocked the sight behind him, but she could hear someone crying out and someone else gasping for air.

Michael slowly took a step to the side, opening up her line of sight. Noma was hunched over someone. Someone blonde and bloodied.

And then realization set in. Uriel's hands shook as she tried to stand up. "Not him… no! Not…no…"

Michael clenched his fists and closed his eyes as Uriel looked down at her own bloodied hands and sobbed.