In an abandoned church in the middle of nowhere a young man hurried down the hallway clutching a tablet in his hand. He reaches the double doors where two men stood.
"I have news." The young man told the guards at the door.
The guards look at each other. Before a voice came from the inside.
"He can come."
The guards nod and one of them opens the door. The young man steps through and a shiver went down his spine as the cold air hit him. He looks across the room. A man stood with his back him. His arms are behind his back and he was looking at the cage swinging in front of him.
"Prophet." The man spoke.
The younger man...Prophet straightened up.
"Lord Raphael." Raphael turns round. His dark eyes lock straight on to his new arrival. The Prophet laughs. "Oh um..."
He quickly goes down on his knees. Raphael steps in front of the Prophet. He puts his hand out. The Prophet reaches out and kisses the archangel's hand.
"My Lord." He again bowed to the archangel.
Raphael's lips form into a smirk.
"Prophet Kevin Tran. What news do you bring?"
Kevin waits for the archangel to order him to stand up. Once he does Kevin stands up.
"It's great news no fantastic news. Your brother, he has returned."
Kevin watched Raphael form a wide smile. Happiness shone in his eyes.
"Your vision has finally come true." He grinned .
The Prophet thought that this is the first time the archangel has truly smiled. Since Kevin's vision of Michael returning home months ago Raphael has become obsessed. He had waited days, weeks, months for his older brother to return. He wasn't planning on throwing his brother a welcome back party no Raphael had plans for his brother. Michael is the key to getting to the paradise world.
The archangel puts his hand on Kevin's shoulder.
"I knew Michael made a mistake giving out that order." Raphael looks down at the kid like he is gold. "I knew your work was not done."
Kevin nods but he didn't look pleased. After obeying Michael and sacrificing himself Kevin went to Heaven and he was reunited with his mom. Kevin had to give it to Michael he did keep his word.
Kevin remembered helping his mom cook. The doors opened and a bright light poured in. He screamed for his mom as he was dragged out of the door. Next thing he knew he was in bed.
Raphael was hovering over him.
Kevin at first thought it was Michael. Raphael's vessel did resemblance Michael's vessel. Both had dark eyes, bit of growth. Kevin remembered Michael's vessel is from Raphael's bloodline. The younger archangel let Michael borrow a vessel from his bloodline because it would was able to contain an archangel. Kevin had to guess the vessel Raphael was wearing had to be a younger brother or cousin to Michael's vessel.
"How..." Kevin looks round. "How am I back? My body...it...it..."
"I restored it." Raphael smiled down at him.
Kevin bit back a groan of course he restored it. Raphael is a healer, a builder. While Michael was good at destroying things Raphael was good at building. It wasn't a surprised that the younger archangel gathered the scattered pieces of the Prophet's body and healed the damage. Then Raphael flew to Heaven, took Kevin's soul and reunited it with the body.
The Prophet was brought back.
Kevin hated Raphael for what he did. The archangel took away the one thing Kevin wanted.
That was peace.
Kevin tried to kill himself. One time he found a shred of glass and he used it to slash his wrists. When the blood formed Raphael was there within seconds and he healed the serve injuries.
Kevin screamed. He just wanted to die. All Kevin wanted was to die. He didn't want to live another minute longer on this planet. He wanted to be in Heaven. He missed his mom.
Let me die. He thought.
Kevin screams as Raphael held him by his throat.
"You should be grateful." The archangel snarled. "I brought you back. I gave you life. You were going to throw all that away!" He punches the Prophet and throws him on the ground. "I brought you back to serve me. You don't get to choose when you die."
He kicks the Prophet in the stomach. Kevin winced in pain but part of him welcomed the pain. He wanted Raphael to beat him to death.
"I don't serve you...You winged dick!" Kevin yelled through gritted teeth. "I never will...GO TO HELL!"
Rage flashes across Raphael's eyes. This is it. This is it. Kevin went over the line. He is going to suffer. Hope filled his chest as the angels joined their leader's side. Raphael bends down never taking his eyes off the Prophet. Kevin closes his eyes waiting for his life to end.
The Prophet felt warmth spread across his body. He didn't even have to open his eyes to see what the archangel did.
No!
Tears roll down Kevin's cheeks. He looks up at Raphael's smirking face.
"Do you think I am stupid Tran." He stands back up and puts his hands on his hips. "After that little incident it is clear to me that you wish death. You thought I was going to grant your wish?" He laughs. "Why would I do that when you know how much you mean to me. You are a Prophet of the Lord. You saw the rift open months before the abomination Castiel came through with the two mud monkeys. You see things that no one else can. I need you because I believe although my brother went to paradise I do not believe that is the end I feel something is big is coming. Going to another world and then it goes quiet just like that." He shakes his head. "My brother is sure to stir trouble. He never was the best when it came to making friends."
"Raphael." Kevin sobbed. He clears his throat "Lord Raphael. I do not think there is gonna be anymore visions. Michael went through. It was always meant to be Michael. My visions never included you."
Raphael's lips form into a snarl. A spark of jealously flash across his eyes. Why was it always Michael? Michael and Lucifer it was always Michael and Lucifer. Raphael and Gabriel would be pushed to the side. Raphael could be in the same room as his two older siblings but he would be ignored. Then Michael was given the title as Prince, Commander of Heaven. Again why? Michael couldn't lead. Okay he led and won armies and followed every order but since Lucifer's dead, Michael wasn't the same. God leaving his family it hurt Raphael but it hurt Michael massively. The fury and rage Michael had towards his father is the reason this world became a dust bowl.
That's when Raphael knew Michael was emotionally unstable to rule and thought now it was time for him to step up and take his older brother's place. Confronting his older brother on the matter cost the younger archangel's life.
That's what Michael thought anyway.
Raphael wasn't a fool to confront his brother in person. The way Michael was it wasn't a surprised that the older archangel chose to kill him. The thought of another taking his throne, it scared the older archangel greatly.
After faking his death Raphael went into hiding. He had a few eyes and ears on the inside providing him intel. Let's just say not everyone supported Michael's leadership. The day Michael went through the rift with his alternative brother Lucifer was the day Heaven was betrayed. Their leader left his army, he betrayed them. As a healer Raphael felt it was his duty to act and heal the damaged nation. Making the world how it should be.
For starters instead of killing everyone like Michael was doing Raphael captured the humans and forced them to work for him. The mud monkeys became slaves to the angels. What better punishment than death is being forced to work for the enemy. At first it wasn't easy. The reckless, foolish mud monkeys fought back and tried to escape. Both failed miserably. Michael would kill the pathetic humans on the spot. Raphael had another plan for those who break the rules. He would physically and mentally torture the humans. Once the session was over rather than leaving them broken, beaten and weak Raphael would heal them back to full health. Can't have workers on the site if they are not up to full scratch. Also because Raphael knew the humans would want to beaten to death and that simply won't do. No one is getting a pass to Heaven on his watch.
Sometimes Raphael would heal the humans and let them experience the sudden rush of energy and warmth that goes through their body. He would let them cherish the moment of being healed before he tears them apart again. It was like being on the rack of Hell. The soul torn apart then put back together only to go through the same process all over again.
Once his empire grew Raphael became bored. He was impressed with how much he had built since he became leader but the archangel grew restless he was tired of seeing the same grey surroundings everyday. He needed a change. He wanted...
...paradise.
Raphael had to admit he was curious about the world his brother went to. It sounded fascinating, fresh, exciting. But he couldn't go. One he didn't know how to and two if he went over there he could bump into Michael. The older archangel would be furious if he knew Raphael was alive.
As time went on Raphael couldn't stop thinking about the other world. He thought of what he could build. Build a Kingdom that would be much better than this church. Get the humans to bow to him like he was God. Raphael grinned. He liked that. Being the new God. With his immense power he could change the world to how he wanted it.
Again his thoughts go to his brother.
I would have to get him out of the way first. He thought.
The archangel realized there is one person he could turn to to gain information about rifts. That person was in Heaven.
The Prophet Kevin Tran was the first to see the rift open, he saw that many great things were yet to come. What if there is another rift, another opportunity Kevin would be the first to witness it. It was final Raphael brought Kevin back.
At first Raphael didn't mind waiting the Prophet has only just come back. His gifts needed to wake up. As time went on Raphael grew impatience. Kevin attempting suicide that was the last straw.
The look on Kevin's face. His eyes pleading for death is what got Raphael to stop. He healed the kid and smirks at the Prophet's defeated expression.
Kevin thinking that there will be no more visions Raphael refused to believe it. Surely something must be happening over in the other world. He knows his brother he loves to make his presence known. The younger archangel felt he must play a part in stopping whatever diabolical mess Michael is causing over there.
Just when Kevin went rigid. His muscles tightened and his shoulders went tense. His face screws up. Then he jerks left and right. His body shakes violently.
Seizure. Raphael thought. He is having a seizure.
The archangel made a move but stopped when Tran began spitting out words in Enochian.
This isn't just a seizure. Raphael steps back and the widest grin forms on his face. You young Prophet. You are having a vision.
Kevin suddenly went still and his body slumps in exhaustion. His eyes remained wide in shock and his breaths come out in short gasps as he tried to figure out what happened. He yelped when Raphael goes right in his face.
"So what did you see?"
Kevin looks left, right, up, down anywhere to avoid the archangel's face.
"Do you mind um...you are in my personal space and it's making me feel very uncomfortable."
To Kevin's surprise the archangel moves back but the curiosity never left his face. Raphael looked like an excited kid asking his parents what his Christmas presents are.
"Can I have some water?" Kevin asks. His taps his throat. "Dry." He coughed.
Raphael orders his guards to fetch some water. One angel came back with a bottle. Kevin takes the bottle and gulps it down. He let out an "Ah" and he leans his head against the wall.
"Now?" Raphael asked.
" I need a chair? "
Raphael grumbles and pulls a chair round. Kevin smiles and sits down on the chair.
"Anything else?" Raphael growled.
Kevin took another swig of his water and shakes his head.
"I'm good."
Raphael sighs with relief.
"Good." He sits in the chair opposite but he couldn't seem to relax. His leg bounced and his face had a mixture of curiosity and nerves. "So Prophet what did you see?"
"I saw...I saw your brother Michael he...he's back."
Raphael's mouth drops open.
"He came back?"
"That's what I saw. He wasn't alone. He had the angel with him. Castiel."
"That abomination." Raphael grimaced. "Continue."
"The two humans. The hunters they are there to but...here is the thing...Michael is possessing one of the humans."
Raphael thought back months before the rift opened. His brother was very excited. According to the older archangel one of the mud monkeys was special. Michael insisted he must have this special human when the time is right. Now Michael is possessing this human hmmm.
Raphael's eyes widen.
"Michael has his Sword."
Kevin let out a gasp.
" I thought the guy was righteous. He did seem perfect. Honestly... " Kevin clicks his tongue. "He actually does look Michael's type. That guy had a warrior vibe to him."
Raphael stands up and walks to the window.
"Well well brother it clearly was paradise to you wasn't it. You got your Sword." Jealously showed in his voice. "Question is why did you come back? Why are you with them?"
"There's another one. " Kevin piped up. "The nephilim."
Raphael spins round.
"What?"
" Jack the one Michael was at war with. Yeah he's back. "
"Michael is with not with one but two abominations." He barked out a laugh. "Has my brother lost his mind. I knew he was going insane but working with the lowest of the low, he has clearly lost it. Prophet may I see this vision for myself?"
Kevin knew he couldn't say no. So he sits back and allows the archangel to dig into his head. Raphael gasps as the vision transfers from Tran to him.
He saw Castiel and the nephilim they call Jack. Something was off with the kid. Raphael couldn't see the great power. There was nothing from the nephilm.
He's human.
Raphael grins. The archangel had an advantage. The other world group have lost their most powerful ally. Castiel was already low on power, a disgust in Raphael's eyes.
He will not be a problem either.
The brother of the Sword is nothing but a mud monkey Raphael will have no problem with him. At the back of the crowd looking like a lost puppy was his dear brother Michael. Raphael laughed. He couldn't help himself but this is hilarious.
What have they done to you brother? He snorted.
Raphael can see Michael's vessel is worthy, a warrior, a fighter, self-righteous. From one look Raphael can tell this is the Sword. Looking at Michael's sad expression well it does affect the image of the Sword massively. Michael was supposed to look heroic in it not a wimp. It was actually incredible how easy this is going to be.
You dear brother are going to show me your holiday home. He smirked. I'm getting a one way ticket.
He looks at the empty shell that was once Earth.
I'm never coming back.
"See Prophet." Raphael grinned. "I was right and you were wrong."
Kevin nods.
"You are right once again my Lord."
Raphael squeezes Kevin's shoulder.
"All we do now is wait."
"We wait."
Kevin looks down as he said it. Raphael forces the kid to look him in the eye.
"If I ever see you committing an act like that again I'll put you in the cage. It could be your permanent room. Would you like that?"
Kevin shivered as he thought of the swinging cages that causes horrific pain. Pain that even an archangel can't handle.
"I won't try to kill myself again." He answered. Raphael folds his arms. Kevin sighs sadly. "I won't try to kill myself again...Lord Raphael."
Raphael smiles as he saw defeat in the young Prophet's eyes.
"Your are dismissed."
He leaves the room and ignores the soft cries that came from the Prophet.
Months went on and Raphael waited. He was patient because he knew the vision will soon take place.
The day Kevin ran in and told him his brother has returned, it was the best news Raphael has heard in a long time. Raphael was delighted that he made the right call bringing the Prophet back.
That's why I am the perfect leader. I make the right choices.
"What do we do now?" Kevin asked.
Raphael smiles down at him.
"Get ready we will soon be having guests." Kevin swallows but nods. Raphael noticed the fear from the Prophet. "Do not worry about Michael. He will not hurt you. I will deal with him."
Kevin let out a small "Thanks".
"Can I umm can I go now?"
Raphael waves to the door. Kevin sprints out of the door. Raphael turns back to the cages. His fingers wrap around the bars.
"You will soon be having company." He grinned.
He pushes the cage and smirks when his prisoner moans in pain. Raphael waved a goodbye and leaves the room.
"Gather the troops." He ordered the guard.
"Is it time?" The guard asks.
"It is." Raphael answered.
The guards vanish.
Raphael gets out his blade and runs his fingers along it.
This is going to be one Hell of a family reunion.
This chapter turned out longer than I expected. Lol.
This chapter was inspired by the story The Road back to you by Becciehill1976. You should check it out it is a really good story.
Next chapter coming soon.