Snow Family Home. Later That Evening.
Though it was nostalgic for the two siblings to walk through the front door of their childhood home that night. The same couldn't be said for Snow when he entered the home.
"I wish your homecoming was under better circumstances, Snow. But, Welcome home little brother."
Zerachiel states. Lazarus was still focused on looking around the stately home he had no memories of up until the age of seven. The rest after that. He only knew his time in Hell. Zerachiel could sense the sore memory coming to the forefront of his little brother's face. Deciding it was best to place a gentle hand on his brother's shoulder. And, offering a reassuring look on his face. Lazarus smiles lowly at his brother's attempt to cheer him up. Too many memories from the past twenty-four hours were catching up to Snow. Luckily, his brother, sister, his soon-to-be sister-in-law were all there to support him during his hard time transitioning from a demon of Hell, back into an angel of Heaven.
"I bet you're dying to see your old room again. Right, Snow?"
Lazarus nods to answer Athena. He hadn't been in this home since he was a child. He wanted to soak in as many memories as he could before the morning arrived in the later hours. Being led upstairs by Athena. Zerachiel is left with Molly downstairs. Molly couldn't believe the simple style of her fiancé's old home.
While Zerachiel leaves Molly to wander around the home she would be sharing with the three siblings and two-year-old daughter of Athena. Zerachiel takes down the old image of when he was in the Angel Marines with some of his oldest friends from the mantlepiece in the lounge area. He'd chosen to abandon them the moment he learned about his little brother getting lost in Hell. When he'd learned of his mother's murder by an angel in her platoon. It was a no-brainer that Zerachiel would opt to stay in Hell with Athena and Raziel. It was mainly to protect their little brother from some of the scumbags that looked to exploit the young angel at the time.
"Sorry boys. I had to abandon my post to protect my baby brother. I hope, in time. You'll all be able to forgive my fall from grace."
Another picture soon catches Zerachiel's attention. To the right of the image that he held in his hand. A picture of a young Balthazar, Emily and Snow, with peace signs held up, was smiling back at the adult. This leads to Zerachiel smiling sadly at the image as he remembered when it was taken.
"Snow's fourth birthday. You three were as thick as thieves back then. Even making the promise to join the marines together when all three of you turned eighteen."
Zerachiel could only smile sadly at the memory. It was he who had to break the news to Uriel of Cassiel's death in Hell. When asked about the condition of Lazarus. Zerachiel had to explain his brother had killed the angel who had killed their mother. And, he had chosen to reside in Hell.
Completely unaware that Emily and Balthazar had been listening in on the two's conversation. It had broken Emily's heart to overhear the news she had listened in on. Balthazar, well. Zerachiel was unaware that the nine-year-old would leave his mark on the Snow family in the future.
"It was, on this day. I would learn of Emily's school girl crush on Lazarus. And, the resentment Balthazar would feel towards my family."
Zerachiel mutters to himself. Placing the image of himself and his friends back onto the mantlepiece next to the image of the three friends. The male couldn't help but shed a tear at what was once left behind due to his mother's murder. Now. He was back and ready to deal with the consequences of his actions. Looking to see where his fiancée was from her spot in the kitchen. Zerachiel could only smile sadly at what his time in Hell had brought him. He had caused Molly to leave behind all she knew in Hell. All because she was associated with the Snows.
'I'm so sorry, Molly. I should have never dragged you into this mess.'
Those were Zerachiel's last thoughts on the matter.
Upstairs With Athena and Snow
Unlocking a bedroom door with a key she found behind a portrait of their father, Kai. Athena allows Snow to enter his old childhood bedroom. The look of awe on his face told the whole story the moment he walked through the door and, stepped into the middle of the room.
All around him. There were mementoes of a bygone era sat in this one room alone. A plastic sword sat on a chest in front of his old bed. It was the same toy sword he would use to have pretend battles with his two best friends. All while the adults watched in amusement at the three pretending to be the three strongest angels in Heaven. Lazarus remembered he would pretend to be his brother, Zerachiel. He also remembered Emily would be the only powerful female angel, Sarathiel. While Balthazar would pretend to be his own brother, Raphael. It was all fun and games until Snow accidentally knocked out one of Emily's teeth. Though she had laughed off the injury. Lazarus wouldn't let go of her. He wouldn't stop apologising to his only female friend and her parents for what had happened to his only female friend.
Another memento from his late father, Kai. Though he'd perished during the angel/Demon war of 1943. He made sure to send Cassiel something to give to their unborn son to remember him by. That memento? It was an old battle cap from a bottle of soda Kai had been drinking on the day he landed in Hell to fight his old demon comrades with Mizael by his side. Picking up the cap that was attached to a metal chain. Lazarus couldn't help but smile at the preserved cap his mother had saved for him until he turned eighteen.
He was looking at something else that caught his eye. He noticed a letter on his bed that was addressed to him from the almighty, himself. Reading the letter thoroughly for the first time. He saw it was a letter of acceptance into the angel marine academy for when Lazarus would turn eighteen. He never received this letter until he found it on his old bed at this moment in time. Putting down the letter. He notices his sister sitting beside his bedroom window with a small cross held between her fingers when he asks.
"Mom wanted me to become an angel marine. Didn't she, Athena?"
Lazarus's sister nods solemnly. Putting the cross back into her shirt pocket. She stands up from her seat to face her baby brother before replying.
"Mom knew you would make a fantastic Angel Marine, Snow. When she fell into Hell due to an angel's betrayal. Uriel kept the position open for you until you came of age. And, for when you should ever return from Hell."
Lazarus nods. Looking back at the piece of paper. Lazarus has a new thought in his mind when he looks at his solemn sister rubbing the cross that belonged to Raziel. Keeping the thought fresh within his mind. He speaks.
"I think I'll go and apply for the marines, sis."
Athena looks at her brother with no expression on her face at his new resolve. Seeing his sister allowing him to continue. He continues speaking.
"I'll join the marines. And, I'll finally get the chance to fulfil mom and dad's dying wishes for me. You'll see!"
Athena nods. Though Zerachiel had informed the almighty of their return to Heaven after the son of Lucifer and Lilith framed Snow for murder. It was up to the powers under God to decide if Lazarus should become an angel marine. But, looking at her little brother with a determined look in his eyes for the first time since they arrived back in Heaven. She knew there was no stopping her brother's desired path. She just hoped the overlords of Heaven saw it this way.
The High Seraph of Heaven
"You wanted to see us, father?"
Three angels are seen kneeling before the almighty who is seen sitting upon his throne amongst the council of the high seraph. He had just returned from a meeting with the commander of his extermination task force when he'd been summoned back to his place in the high seraph. Seeing his three trusted angels knelt before him. He speaks.
"The angel, Lazarus. He has returned to Heaven after twenty-one human years in the pits of Hell whilst living within their Pride Ring. I wished to see you three first before I allow anything to move forward regarding this young angel's return to my kingdom."
This was where the almighty looked at the first knelt angel in front of him. Speaking up again. He points to the first male angel in his presence.
"Overlord of the 3rd Seraph, Uriel. You have the floor."
The angel Uriel nods before standing upon the command to do so to face the almighty before he asks.
"What do you wish of me, father?"
"You were closest to the boy and his family. Were you not, Uriel?"
Uriel nods before replying.
"I was, my lord."
"Then hear me, Uriel. During the clash between Lucifer's son Cain and Lazarus. A power awakened during that fight within the angel who has returned to my kingdom. Tell me, Uriel. What do you know of the legend of Genosia? Or, in human dialect, a Genesis?"
Uriel clears his throat before answering his father in a clear voice.
"Father. My knowledge of Genosia is, limited, to say the least. All I've been taught by my brother and sisters in my time alive is this. A rare being of angel and demon blood will awaken when the being is under threat."
God nods to confirm he was aware of the situation. But, he wanted to test Uriel's knowledge of Lazarus's origins. This was where Uriel continues.
"From the age of eight to twenty in human years. Lazarus has had no recollection of his angel origins. He was only aware of his demon side through his father, The demon, Kai Snow during this fight."
God nods while allowing Uriel to continue.
"Though, as you mentioned father. The spike of power rattled both worlds. I think, in my humble opinion, Lazarus has finally realised his true power."
Stepping back after telling God what he knew. Uriel went back into a kneeling position beside the female angel and the other male angel he'd been summoned with to the High Seraph Chambers. The next up was the female angel, Sarathiel.
"Arise, Overlord of the 7th Seraph, Sarathiel."
As God commanded. Sarathiel arose to a standing position before the almighty addressed her.
"You were the first informed by Mizael of Lazarus and his family's return, were you not?"
Sarathiel nods to confirm her father's words as truth. Seeing there was no lie across his daughter's face. God continues addressing his daughter.
"You also had a vision of the boy's return?"
Sarathiel once again nods. This time, she replied to her father's question.
"My daughters and I. We had the vision of a broken male returning to his birth home. We also foresaw what would become of Lazarus upon his return."
God motions for his daughter to continue with her sentence. Something she did with no hesitation in her words.
"We predicted that. When Lazarus would return back to his home of birth. He would unite the worlds of Heaven and Hell under his name. But, he would not do it as he currently appears, father. As he appeared upon his return. He was once a demon who experienced heartbreak and betrayal by those he trusted. But, with the surge in power, we felt throughout the Seraph during the clash with brother Lucifer's son, Cain. Genosia is close to awakening within him. He has mastered his demon side. But, he is yet to master the other side of his powers. The one side that will lead him to become the most powerful being within the entirety of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory."
God nods. He dismisses his daughter to allow the other kneeling son of his to stand at attention before the almighty.
"You show trepidation at this news, Raphael?"
The angel with the auburn hair nods upon standing. It was true he had no love for the return of the Snows back into Heaven. Something even his father could sense when he spoke directly to Raphael again.
"I take it the Redmoons oppose the Snow's return?"
Raphael once again nods. In his eyes, the Snows were dirty traitors. No worse than the demons they once lived amongst. Something Raphael was quick to bring up.
"By your grace, father. Why would you allow those traitors to soil the holy lands with their presence? They even have the nerve to bring a lost soul with them into your kingdom!"
That was when God held a hand up to stop Raphael from speaking. It was also a sign that Raphael almost overstepped his place in God's presence. Placing his right hand back down onto his throne. He speaks in defence of his decision to re-home the Snow family.
"The Snows reached out to me to seek asylum within my kingdom. Tomorrow, they will come to the baptism room to receive my blessing to return home. The only one to receive baptism is the demon Zerachiel brought with him into my kingdom. She is to receive her new form so she may live within my kingdom."
This hit a sore spot for Raphael. He was allowing a demon to live amongst pure beings? Was he insane?! But, before he could continue his retort. God announces to the room.
"Then, it is settled. The high Seraph vote in favour of welcoming the Snows back into the Kingdom of Heaven. And, the demon named Molly Marconi. She will be baptized to become a pure soul. As you were, my children."
"Thy will be done, father."
Sarathiel and Uriel say and nod to understand what their father had wished to happen when they exit the room. Even Raphael had reluctantly accepted what was to happen in the day to come. Once the three angels leave God alone in the room of the High Seraphs. The almighty is left to his thoughts within his chair while the angel's worked around him. The only angel who watched on with interest was Michael.
The guardian angel of the month of March had sat in on his father's conversation with the two of the seven Seraphs of Heaven and Raphael. The 1st Seraph had been intrigued by the almighty's decision to welcome back the Snows after so long away from the kingdom. He had also noted Raphael's lack of faith towards their father when he had passed his wise words to his three children. Though he would not act upon the look of discontent from Raphael. Michael would keep a close eye on the Redmoon. Just in case he tried betraying their father because of his ideals.
'I'll be keeping my eyes on you, Raphael.'
Those were the words swimming around Michael's thoughts when God stepped off of his throne to attend to business elsewhere in Heaven. This left Michael wandering around the throne room upon his father's exit.
The Next Morning
"Wakey, wakey Snow."
Lazarus heard the sing-song words that spoke softly into his left ear. Causing him to scrunch up into a tighter ball within his bedsheets on the bed. Leading to him groaning out.
"Ten more minutes, sis. It's too early to get up."
The female in the room couldn't help but chuckle at the male trying to get back to sleep with his ball of sheets around him. This leads to a voice calling up to the male's room.
"SNOWBALL! GET YOUR ASS IN GEAR AND WAKE UP!"
That made Snow's right eye snap open in thought. His sister's voice sounded distant compared to the one that had whispered sweetly into his ear. Closing his right eye again and opening his left eye now. He spots a female with white-blonde hair looking down at him with a sweet smile and a wave to the sleepy male still lying in his bed. Closing his eye again and keeping both of them shut. He soon opens them again when he realises who is hovering above him using her wings.
Downstairs
"DAMN IT, EMILY!"
Zerachiel is seen chuckling from his seat at the kitchen table at what he had done to wake up his little brother. Even Molly, from her spot feeding Persephone her breakfast, let out a chuckle at Snow's flustered shout from upstairs. It was because of Molly that Emily had appeared upstairs to wake Lazarus up from his sleep. Today was a big day for the whole family. Molly and Athena didn't want Snow sleeping in if he wanted to become a marine today. Also happening today. Zerachiel was having to go through the same trials to get his old position back as a marine sergeant.
Hearing the soft, yet heavy, footsteps of their little brother walking down the stairs before turning to enter the dining room of their new home. Athena couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her seeing her little brother looking like he'd seen a ghost in his room.
"Something the matter little brother? Aren't you happy I sent your closest friend to wake you up?"
Lazarus' right eye twitched in annoyance. The glare he was giving his sister would have frozen her in place if he had ice powers. Luckily for Athena, but unluckily for Snow, he didn't have those powers. Sitting down at the table while his happy female friend soon ran downstairs. It wasn't long before she had given Snow a happy cuddle around his shoulders. He couldn't help the blush appearing on his face while grumbling about it being, 'Too damn early'. Rising from his seat at the table. Lazarus walks over to the storage unit that has Raziel's old marine gear inside. Yesterday after Athena had dug the old uniform out. They discovered that Snow was exactly the same measurements as her late husband had been. Leading to Lazarus currently wearing Raziel's old uniform once he had changed into them.
"Well, I best be off then. Don't want to keep our brother waiting now, do I?"
Athena shakes her head with an amused smile at her baby brother. He'd been through some shit in the last twenty-four hours. She wondered how he could be serious at a time like this. Then again, a certain demon her little brother loved soon came to Athena's mind.
'I guess… we're both hurting from the loss of those we love. Aren't we, Lazarus?'
With Snow and Emily at the Marine Barracks. The time of arrival was at 0900 Hours.
It was, different, to say the least. The last time Snow came to the Marine barracks. He was only five at the time. He'd been visiting with Athena to come and see Zerachiel and their mother training with the other angels. Now, at the age of twenty-one. He was going to enlist and become a better angel upon his return. His first stop? Commander Uriel's office.
We see himself, and Emily, sitting patiently while Uriel went over Snow's file. Zerachiel had warned Snow about Uriel being a tough nut to crack when it came to new recruits. Especially a recruit that had been living in Hell most of his life.
"You're a very lucky soul, Lazarus Snow. If this was Raphael's unit within these barracks. He'd have sent you away and told you to never return. Do you know why I am not Raphael, Lazarus?"
Lazarus nods. The mere presence of the veteran angel before him was enough for him to take Emily's hand and hold it tight under the desk where he was seated. Gulping back his fear for the commander before him. He spoke clearly.
"You have more patience than Raphael, sir?"
Uriel nods. Assessing the newly returned angel before him. Uriel could see that Lazarus was visibly trembling before him. Most commanders would have sensed this as fear. But, because Uriel was close friends with Cassiel. Uriel knew it was the respect the female angel had raised her children to have for their betters. Placing Snow's file down on his desk. He responded in a cool voice. One that made the two young angels shiver at how cool it sounded.
"Your mother. And, to the same extent, Lazarus, your father. They were, exceptional, soldiers. But, there is one thing you missed when you answered me three seconds ago, son. Unlike Raphael. I don't hold a prejudice against demons serving in Heaven. Your father was the reason for this."
Lazarus nods. He knew the story of the angelic demon that rebelled against his commanders to join the woman he loved in Heaven. The story of a snow demon helping God's armies fight Hell was, legendary, to say the least. He was a beloved figure to all he served with. This is where Uriel continues to speak once he stood by the window overlooking the training grounds.
"I made a promise to your mother and father that I would enlist you into my squadron should you return to Heaven from your time in Hell. Once you pass selections of course. Though Emily beside you wasn't the best of flyers. And, though she failed the flight test. Miserably, I might add. She has flawless combat ability. And, she is like a ghost on the battlefield. No enemy can track her to the point of, when she attacks, it's too late for the enemy to react. She was also recommended by Mizael to join my corps."
Emily couldn't help the blush that painted itself on her cheeks from the praise she received from her commander. Getting back to the business at hand. Uriel hands Snow a clipboard. On said clipboard was the sign-up sheet for Snow to sign. Before reading the sheet, Uriel adds one little tidbit.
"Also, Lazarus. Has Staff Sergeant Zerachiel filled you in on our policies for angels who aren't married?"
Lazarus shakes his head. This causes a small hint of a grin to form on the normally stoic angel at Snow's clueless expression. Deciding he'd leave it there once Snow signed the form. He states in his own way of showing happiness towards the male.
"Excellent. If you'd like to follow your intended partner to the training grounds. Your initiation will begin."
"Wait, what?!"
That was Lazarus speaking after Uriel had shooed the two of them out of the door. Once the door slammed shut behind the two. Emily speaks up happily.
"If you'd like to follow me to the training grounds that are holding final selections, Lazarus. We can finally welcome you home properly!"
Lazarus nods. To him, it was a good job he was clueless as to what Uriel meant by 'follow your intended'. Otherwise, we would be waiting for the second coming of Christ on Earth by the time Snow put four and four together at what the veteran commander meant. Following Emily while she happily led him by his hand to the grounds. Lazarus would continue to get the piss taken out of him by the rookie angels while he walked to the training grounds. He would have to ask his sister what Uriel meant by 'intended' when he got back home tonight.
Training Grounds
"Listen up, rookies!"
Goya was the angel in charge of training the new recruits that were sent to be tested. It was also him who was in charge of making sure the new recruits were sent to their correct commanding officers if they passed selections. Lazarus was lined up next to the other newbies that were younger than him by three years. If anything. Lazarus was the senior rookie amongst the eighteen-year-old new recruits. When he appeared at the selections test. The other seventeen angels looked in awe at the male who had walked into the training camp. They were also in awe of the fact that the snow-white blonde-haired female was cheering for Snow. The fact the Shadow of god was cheering for the oldest test taker. That told them he was not to be messed with.
The first recruit to take the test? It was Dex.
"Dexter Goldsborough. You're up rookie. Show us what you can do."
The bespectacled male nods. Walking past Snow. He hands the male a folded-up note before continuing over to the starting point. Lazarus couldn't help but look down at the folded piece of paper in his left hand. What did Dex want to tell him? He would have to find out later. Now, he was watching Dex tear apart his test opponents.
Later
Walking out of the barrack showers with nothing but a towel on towards his locker is where we now see Snow. After dispatching everyone with ease at the training ground. He finally got the chance to read the note Dex had given him. On it, it read this.
'The guys are planning to make you look like a tool the minute you exit the shower. Do not open your locker!'
Lazarus had planned ahead for this inevitability. Before he'd gotten in the shower after training. He'd spotted some of the rookies that weren't happy he'd showed off in the proving grounds. So, he'd emptied all of his clothes and belongings into a duffel bag beforehand. And, when he passed Emily on his way to the men's locker room. He swapped out his duffel bag with a bag filled with a mechanism that tarred and feathered anyone that opened the door to his locker. And, he had the perfect plan to enact too. It just involved a busted lock.
"Lazarus? We thought you'd have changed into your clothes by now?"
Speaking of one of the rookies. It wasn't the one Lazarus was expecting to see walk into the locker rooms where he was currently standing by the locker. Seeing the male walk into the room, Lazarus asks.
"Sammy, what are you doing here? I thought you had plans with Apollo after training?"
"I do. I just forgot something in the changing rooms."
Noting the locked up tight locker door. Samiel put two and two together when he realised why Lazarus wasn't dressed yet. Deciding he'd better not ask what the male had planned. He chose to just grab what he'd left behind from the locker next to Snow's before exiting with a smile to the male beside him.
"Good luck pal."
Lazarus nods. He knew Samiel was a smart angel. He was one of the only angels, besides Emily and Dex, that Snow would stand up for. Changing into the clothes he had in the duffel bag in front of him. He changes into a black t-shirt and stonewashed blue jeans and steel-toe boots before exiting the changing room. Just as expected, Emily stood awaiting him with her hands held in front of her and, in a sundress, she had specifically picked out for today after training. The floral patterned dress seemed to hug her nicely when Lazarus got a good look at the beaming woman before him.
"You seem happy. What's the occasion, Em?"
Emily smiles shyly when she replies. All while keeping eye contact with the male who stood before her with a smirk on his face also.
"Oh, nothing much. Just thought I'd take you around Heaven. And, I wanted to show you all of the changes since you left! You know…, as good friends!"
Lazarus could tell when Emily was bullshitting him. His heartbeat sense was going haywire at the spike of happiness and giddiness the female was radiating towards him. Deciding to humour the female. He responds.
"Sure, I've got nothing on when I get home. I'll walk around Heaven with you. As friends, of course."
Emily nods with a smile a mile wide at the reply before cheering in happiness and dragging Snow with her. Just as he was about to walk away, a yell caught the two young adult's ears from behind them coming from the men's locker room. This causes Emily to ask.
"What was that?"
Lazarus just looks at Emily with a smirk and a shrug before they continued walking.