Judge and Tempters

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Summary: Hastur loved the 14th Century and beyond; it was his heyday of the time during the famine, the black death, the civil wars and the religious upheavals of Europe. It wasn't until 1462 did his life got turned upside down in the arrival of an angel. And not just any angel, but the Archangel Gabriel. What is he doing here messing up with his temptations to Frollo? And what is he doing here if not stopping him of doing his job?

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Chapter 4: Devil's Trap

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Gabriel walked slowly up the wooded steps towards the bell towers of Notre Dame. He faintly hears the cries of a babe as a wet-nurse that the Archdeacon found hush the child. As he opened the doors of the chamber that housed the bells, he watched as the wet-nurse place the babe in a makeshift box that was on the table. The space was very barren with layers of dirt and dust that covered everything. The morning light was now peaking from the outside giving the space a certain glow. Gabriel smiled, as he faintly hears the laughter of a child, the woodened carvings that soon will adore the very table that the child laid and a thirst for freedom.

Just as the feeling came, it disappeared as the wet-nurse turned towards him as she turned. The woman gasp but calmed herself. "You scared me, sir." She said. "Are you here for the child?" she has been told that someone will arrive to watch the child until it was time for another fed. She was needed into the kitchen to feed the priests of the cathedral.

"Yes." Gabriel said to the human. The woman nodded as she started to walk towards the door without a word. Gabriel knew the woman did not care for the child. Afterall the child was ugly, and doubt been told of who's child came from. He has yet to see the child, but he knew its soul. He slowly walked up the box and looked within.

What greeted him was a young child with the biggest toothy smile, as the child waved his hands towards Gabriel as if wanting to be picked up. The child was deformed, no doubt of it as one leg did look longer then the other and the face was lopsided. But either then that, Gabriel didn't see anything wrong with the child. The child has a strong bright soul, destined for Heaven. He doesn't understand the lack of love from the woman that shared her milk from her breast to the child, or the hatred he felt from Frollo when he first met the child. He felt nothing but love from the child, mix with yearning for comfort.

Gabriel picked up the child, mindful of making sure to support the head cupping the child on his forearm close to his chest. The child was happy of being picked up and close to someone but wondering where mother was. Gabriel felt the primeval feeling from the babe of the need of Mother, the very presence that he felt since day one from birth. It was the same instinct of all things, even he himself feels it yearning from his own creator. The yearning to feel Her light, Her voice, Her very presence but he hasn't felt Her in many millennia. Not since the Fall of Lucifer if he admits to himself of how long ago it has been. But the last time he felt Her was not out of love but of anger.

Gabriel started to hum as he rocked the child into sleep. Holding a human child, it has always has a calming effect on him, but he amused, children is part of job description as he is the one of the main Archangels that deals with human children. He amused as he thought of the idea of Sandalphon taking care of a child, it was almost laughable.

"You need guardians, little one." Gabriel told the sleeping babe. He felt his influence gently rise and fall around them; as the smell of lilac filled the room. He knew heaven would not deploy guardian angels, not this close to Armageddon. Besides, the child has a small role in the mist of human history that soon will end as humanity will die in the end of the war. The child is not important for Michael to agree to implore any angels to earth in the years to come. Gabriel knew as well that the child needs a physical guardian as he knew the humans here will not fill the role, not even his foster father. As a rule, guardian angels only watch and never interfere with humans. With his assignment; he is unable to fill this role as well.

Then he felt it; the spirits of demons trapped in stone within he walls of the cathedral. Gabriel knew that many cathedrals, castles and temples on Earth have such trapped in stone as the teachings of King Solomon lives on. Luckily, it's a dying craft to trap such beings to protect buildings, as most humans don't know what they are doing or know the true purpose as well know the cost of doing such a cruel deed.

Gabriel with caution walked outside into the balcony looking out into the morning sun. The presence of the demons he feels is close, as he looked around all the gargoyles around him. There weren't many on the balcony, but enough that he doesn't know which one is specking to him that would fill the role that needs to be filled. He walked to each one; feeling the aura within the stones. A few were dead; the spirits of whoever once resided was long gone either faded into nothingness or banished. Others he felt wasn't a good fit for the purpose of guardianship of a human child as one even hissed at him as he approached it.

At the end of the line; the last three he felt a type of warmth as it was, they that called to him. As he walked up them, he raises one hand and touched each one on the forehead. "Awaken." Gabriel said.

Within moments; the three once statues came alive as if awakened from a deep sleep that it took them a moment of what awaken them. At the sight of an angel, they stepped back in alarm. It has been ages since they need to protect the cathedral from any intruders.

"Peace." Gabriel said to the imps. The imps looked at each other; as each of them shrugged but nodded to him in caution. Gabriel wondered if the three of them are siblings as most demons are not this as ease near at each other.

"Why did you awaken us?" the female asked. Gabriel looked at them, the one that spoken to him was short, frail looking as the gargoyle is an old woman, with two horns with a crown of tiny points on her head. She had large ears and wings upon her back.

Laverne

The other two; males Gabriel sense, was far different from one another. The tallest one was fit, with pointed ears, large wings and sharp teeth. Unlike his companions this gargoyle did not have any horns. The last one was very round, large nosed with long thin horns with the tiniest wings Gabriel ever saw on anyone. Gabriel is very doubtful that the wings are usable for flight and wonder if they are flippers that just happens to be on one's back or if the demon was so happened to be burdened of having flightless wings that are just for show that he seen within other birds on earth. None of them had legs, and Gabriel wondered if it was designed that way so they wouldn't escaped when they were trapped by the Devil's Trap, or the stonemasons created their bodies thinking they will forever stay at their place. One doesn't need legs when one will never move.

Victor…. Hugo….

Gabriel smiled. "I have a proposition for the three of you." He said.

"A proposition?" Victor asked, angels are not known for such things. "What does Heaven wish from us that you have already taken?"

"For exchange of your service in full, I will grant your freedom."

This surprised the gargoyles. Bound by the Note Dame itself and those that serve her, freedom is something that none of them ever dared to think about. It already been almost 300 years since they been placed here to guard the cathedral. And trapped in the service of the church for much longer. They have been trapped in stone from for so long that none of them fully remember what freedom is like. Gabriel knew they are not of his kin, the Fallen but demons that was hatched soon after Lucifer's fall into Hell. The offer is too good to be true.

Laverne hopped towards the angel, the first to notice the bundle within his arms. "Is the proposition having to do something with this cutie?" she asked warmly as if a grandmother meeting a newly born member of the family for the first time. Gabriel was taken back, as he didn't think any of them would be warm towards the idea of the child.

"Yes. He needs guardians. The humans will not care for him as they should because of his deformity. He is an orphan."

"Ahh, not sure I'm understanding this." Hugo said, scratching his head. "You woke us up to take care of a human kid?"

"Yes. I am unable to as I am having other duties to attend to."

"But…not to be rude. We are not guardian angels." Victor said, little nervous as he rubbed his hands together. Gabriel titled his head in wonder of such display of weakness.

"I am fully aware of what you three are." Gabriel rolled his eyes. It's obvious they are not angels but imps. Gabriel then placed the baby into Laverne's arms. She was startled at first but quickly took the child close to her chest.

Laverne smiled down at the baby. "Ah, what a cutie! What is the wee lad called?" she asked him, rocking him as the baby started to wake.

"I believe his foster father has chosen the name Quasimodo. Named after Quasimodo Sunday." Which is today as it were the first Sunday after Easter.

"A fitting name!" Victor said as he too hopped closer. Hugo had the giant smile on his face as they watched as Quasimodo took hold of Victor's finger with a smile.

"We accept." Laverne said, as she glanced at the other two. The two of them nodded in agreement. They already fell in love with Quasimodo. Gabriel beamed, as part of the assignment is now complete. A burden of worry of making sure the child lives was lifted off his shoulders.

"I will keep in touch and visit time to time. Call to me if you need anything." Gabriel told them as he turned and went back down the stairs leaving the three gargoyles with the child. As Gabriel went down the spiral steps that turned into stone, he felt love between the four beings up in the tower. Gabriel knew he did the right thing as he knew Michael would not approve.

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Gabriel walked into the grand halls of the Note Dame. It was dark but lit with many candles through out the halls and grand rooms throughout. Many humans are walking about as it appears that the morning mass just finished as many humans from all parts of the city, to common beggars to merchants and bankers came to the mass. It was obvious still the humans of the city are strictly divided by social class based on disinvite clothing, rules of behavior and roles they all play in Paris society. Many of the clerics and those of the wealthy kept their distance from him as Gabriel looked quite dirty.

It was then that Gabriel looked down and saw that he was covered in dried blood and dirt. He put up his faded grey-purple cowl over his head, knowing his hair is a mess as well. Gabriel knew he couldn't miracle himself clean as he was surrounded by too many humans and knowing that being too clean was strange during this time period. Gabriel sighed, as he suddenly missed the public bath houses. Gabriel looked up and notice that the Archdeacon was walking towards him, talking to a monk who nodded in whatever they were talking about and went off towards wherever monks do in their time. The Archdeacon noticed him and was slightly startled as if not expecting him to be there. The Archdeacon beckoned him which Gabriel did.

Gabriel walked towards the priest as he bowed his head to him. Not remotely knowing full well of how to correctly address himself to the Archdeacon. Does he get on his knees and kiss the Archaeon's rings on his fingers? Does he get on one knee and bow his head? Gabriel did nothing of the sort but walked up to the Archdeacon and bowed his head with his hands behind his back.

"Father." Gabriel greeted the human.

"My son," the human said to him, placing a hand on his shoulder to pat. "I am assuming the job is done?"

"Yes." Gabriel said mournfully. "I have seen to that she was properly buried."

"A sad day for a young one who lose its mother in such a way." They started to walk the halls. Gabriel found himself standing side by side the Archdeacon. "I find myself not surprised of what lengths that Frollo will do against the poor that come here to this city for sanctuary. It was a matter of time before Frollo gets a thirst for blood then making his minions do the work. We can only hope and pray to the Lord that He will guide us all in these dark times."

Gabriel nodded agreement. "Perhaps She as already send help? Afterall, a child was saved." The Archdeacon rise an eyebrow, side glancing him.

"I pray to the Lord that you are correct," the man startled. "I must confess I do not know your name."

Gabriel smiled. He's so happy to finally be able to share his chosen human name. During this century; angels started to need human names to do their assignments which have led them writing their paperwork along with their true names. "Luka, Father. I am called Luka Polaris." [1] Gabriel told him.

"So, I was mistaken. You are not a man of God." The Archdeacon said, his face did not have a smile upon his face. Gabriel was confused as it took him a long time to come up with a perfect human name. Most of the other angels just use their angelic names as form of a human name or picked boring names because they didn't care. What was wrong with it?

Confused, Gabriel asked, "I am not following?"

"You called God a She and your name is not Christianized."

Gabriel hummed in understanding. He had read reports of the Catholic Church and how it grew from Peter's reign from his field agents. His chosen human name is too pagan. Gabriel knew that it would sadden Yeshua of how his disciples had led his teachings to become. Gabriel has forgotten that the humans of his time period now sees God as one being and not many, as well only male because Eve caused the first Sin. "You are correct, Father that I am never baptized in the faith of any church." Gabriel said.

"And yet you prance around like you are a man of god."

Gabriel straighten his back, hands behind his back. "One does not need to be that of man nor a follower of the church to do God's work, Father." They weren't allowed to tell humans of what they are but if a human is able to figure it out it wasn't their fault. Gabriel wonders if the man would figure it out.

The Archdeacon knew Gabriel was correct, but he didn't ping Gabriel from being from the countryside. The man was far too literate to be one but that from a merchant family or at least a son that work close to royalty. But his clothes do not it fit of how Gabriel specks. A former priest? One of the altar boys that choose not to go into the path of priesthood? Or perhaps, he is one of Frollo's spies?

"What is your mission here?" The Archdeacon asked.

"I am here to do Her work, Father. It does not matter what name She is given from humans or that of the church. She is internal, the church is not. Whatever humans believe of what She looks like, are all wrong. My assignment is not of your concern."

Gabriel knew what the Archdeacon was thinking. In the human's eyes he spoke blasphemy against the teaching of the church as well in recent years he is on the borderline admitted of devil worship and being a pagan, a country dweller. Such nonsense of humans really. Gabriel knew that Hell have started a nunnery of such things cause why not? If human believe it why not take advantage of it? After all, King Solomon pathed the way of Satanism.

"And yet you associate yourself with the likes Hastur and Ligur."

"Hastur Lavista and Ligur Vidaloca? [2] We have known of each other for eons. Our work cross paths time to time."

The Archdeacon tried to cover up the sneer upon his face. "They are... not good men."

Gabriel nodded in agreement. "Yes. In their line of work, being good isn't part of the job description."

"I can not permit you to corrupt the boy." The Archdeacon said. Gabriel was taken back; he was being banned of being near Quasimodo? This would make it little difficult in his assignment. "You are far too close to the likes of Frollo."

"If you think that is wise, Father…"

"I do."

Gabriel nodded slowly. "You are aware that I am not a demon?" This has not happened to him before being banned from anything from a human. Gabriel was both flabbergast and eager of the challenge that this human brought him. And dared to tell him, the Archangel fucking Gabriel no.

"I do not care of what or who you are." The Archdeacon said. "I am responsible for the many lives of this city. You are too close to the likes of Frollo."

Gabriel bowed. "I understand, Father. I have faith that the fate of young master Quasimodo would benefit the lives of Paris in years to come. You are responsible for his life. I am after all, a joker in the deck of cards."

Gabriel knew he had been dismissed from the church. He bowed to the human again and took his leave. Behind him, he can feel that the Archdeacon was watching him until he left out the door. It wasn't until much later did the Archdeacon realized that he himself didn't know the boy's name, but Luka did. But how?

(End of Chapter)

Words: 3,504

[1] In the honour of Richard Speight Jr that played Gabriel/Loki in the Supernatural fandom, I named GO-Gabriel after Loki. So, Gabriel's human name is Luka Jabril Polaris. The name meaning Loki is unknown however it possibly derived from the Germanic root "Luka" meaning "Knot, lock". Jabril is the Arabic form of Gabriel which means "man of God; my strength is God" I picked the last name "Polaris" named after the Ursae Minoris, commonly the north star/pole star which is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Minor. The Norse have called the North Star and the Sirius Star (south star), depending which text you go by; Lokabrenna which means "burning done by Loki" or "Loki's Torch". In my series, Gabriel helped create stars. Where Crowley help create Alpha Centauri, as well the rest of Constellation of Centaurus, Gabriel did Polaris, Ursa Minor as well that of Canis Major, in which the star of Sirius resides.

[2] Its cannon that Hastur's human last name is Lavista. It's a joke, named after "Cthulhu!: Hastur La Vista, Baby!". As well its based-on Arnold Schwarzenegger's catchphrase of "Hasta la Vista, Baby". Therefore, I picked the last name for Ligur as "Vidaloca" keeping the Hispanic origins to match Hastur's as well "hasta la vista" in Spanish means, "Until I see you; until we meet again; so long". Where Ligur's last name comes from "la vida loca" Spanish for "the crazy life". It appears that Hastur kept his demonic name as his first human name as it won't be too far fetching that Ligur may have done the same.

Again thanks for reading!

-Marsha