***Angela***

When a young angel turns 18 years old, they are sent to earth to guard and protect poor families haunted by demons and devils. Today is my 18th birthday and the day I get to answer a mortal family's prayers of salvation. Dad always said to me "Angela, you have the kindest heart of any angel I've ever met" and I remember how desperately I wanted to make him proud of me. I remember those times that he and mom would take me to visit some of the families they had served and were now living sin free. They were so proud of their work. They treated each family as if it were their own. I can only hope that one day I'll be just as good as my parents were.

I left home as soon as the warm golden sun peeked out from behind the soft cotton clouds. The earlier I got to the temple, the more families I would be able to choose from. I didn't know exactly what to expect. Perhaps I would find a family with a child who was injured from a terrible incident, or maybe a grieving mother who made a deal with the devil to give birth to a child with her deceased husband. One thing was certain though, I was going to love, nurture, and guide whichever family I decided to take under my wing. And nothing would stop me.

On my way to the temple I flew by dozens of proud parents as their children set out for a goal much similar to my own. Most of the pairs were angels but I did manage to spot a few Seraph households. The husbands were dressed in freshly polished silver armor decorated with golden crosses while their wives wore cream colored silk chitons sprinkled with small milk white pearls. To be the wife of a high ranked and respected seraph general meant that you were seen as a high authority and proud representative of your husband as well as your household. Every second your presence was revealed to the public was to be that of absolute perfection, beauty, and grace. It's an expectation I'm grateful that I will never have to fulfill. Seraph sons are typically betrothed to daughters of other Seraphs to maintain a pure image. I was born from two angels and it was very unlikely that a seraph's son would choose my hand. Although it isn't unheard of, the chances are still rare.

Typically the male seraphs would dress in more official and luxurious clothing, but currently the Heavens have found themselves in some stormy weather with the Underworld. There's been an increase in demons creeping out from the depths of hell and hunting angels and seraphs stationed all over earth. Long long ago a deal was made between the Devil himself and our benevolent Lord that stated neither Heaven or Hell shall interfere with the mortals living on earth. Each leader was meant to stay in their domain and make sure their residents did the same. However, you should never make a deal with the devil. Demons started infesting the earth again undetected and it was up to us to save humanity from sin. Everything has been manageable so far until a few months ago when a group of demons had somehow gotten into our holy homelands in the sky and killed some of our warrior angels and families. My parents included. Since then, our Lord has required all seraph generals and their warriors to be prepared for anything. While they work up here to protect us from any darkness the demons may try to harm us with, it's up to us to protect those down on earth from the treacherous events caused by the fires in hell.

"Good morning Angela! Heading to the temple so soon?" a voice called to me from below. When I looked I was warmed by the humble smile of a gentle and kind seraph man in dented armor. His name was Augustus and was an old family friend. He was there for me when my parents had perished and long before. "Yes sir, I want to make sure I have a wide selection of families to choose from. Where's Zera?" I floated down to him as my golden sandals touched the limestone ground. "You know her, we could barely keep her home as soon as she woke up. I suggested that she waited for you but she insisted that you wouldn't be too far behind. Guess she was right." He let out a chuckle as his soft and gentle eyes met mine. My gaze shifted to his wings. Or what was left of them…He caught my glance and I quickly averted my eyes.

"I-I'm sorry…" I muttered apologetically.

He responded with a calm and reassuring tone,"It's okay Angela."

I wasn't the only one who lost something dear to them the day we were attacked. Augustus lost one of his wings saving his daughter from a succubus. He lost his wings, most of his friends, and his wife that day. Now it's just him and his daughter, but what happens when she leaves to help her first family? I worry about him sometimes. I worry about how he'll handle being alone with his thoughts for the first time in years. The nights are the worst when you're alone. You lay in the darkness with nothing but your thoughts. Regret, sorrow, secrets, desires, everything you keep locked up in your mind comes out.

"Angela?" Augustus's words snapped me out of my thoughts. "Yes sir?" I responded with a pleasant smile. "I know you'll do wonderful. Your parents would be so proud of you...I hope you know that." His words made my heart ache. I nodded before embracing him. That very moment reminded me of the times spent with my dad when we were alone. When he held me in his big strong arms I felt as if I was shielded from all the troubles in the world. Like nothing could ever touch me again other than his undying love. I slowly pulled away and looked up to the wise and brave man who had nothing but love in his heart. A love that he blessed anyone fortunate enough to get close to him with. My wings lifted me slowly into the air again as I tried to keep my voice strong "Thank you…". As I started towards the temple again I felt something new. A light. This is what I was meant to do, this is who I was meant to be. But then something tugged in the back of my mind. Augustus shouldn't have been in his armor. With his wings gone, he had decided to retire and stay home to care for his daughter. Maybe he just wanted to be formal for his daughter going away. But what if it meant things were getting worse regarding the rebelling demons? No way, we've always been smarter and stronger than those abominations. After all, light beats darkness.

Right?...