Chapter 2: Archangel
Ever since Adam McDarren nearly succumbed to a knife wound, his life had taken on new purpose. Most people who have a near-death experience gain a newfound zest for life and live every moment as if it were their last. However for Adam, it was not such an issue.
He had spent the day like any other. He worked for a non-profit organization, which sought to revitalize crime-ridden areas by helping victims to cope and perpetrators to reform as well as persuading businesses to set up shop in such areas and employ these distraught locals.
He also helped create multiple support organizations to keep these reformed criminals from relapsing. Everything had been going well - remarkably well - in his latest neighborhood. The local community seemed especially receptive to his ideas and their implementation met with high success. In fact, he had just decided to stop by the local market to prepare a special meal with some newfound friends to celebrate. It was surprisingly warm so he decided to walk.
He was only a block from the store when out of an alley; a man in torn clothes and a ski mask jumped him. With the element of surprise the young outlaw quickly had the advantage. Adam tried to defend himself, scoring a couple of hard punches but the mysterious criminal soon produced a knife that gleamed in the dim light that found its way into the alleyway from the street.
Knowing how dangerous his job could be, Adam was not caught totally unawares. He had taken some self-defense classes at college including a semester on Krav Maga – the Israeli self-defense system designed to counter armed opponents. Unfortunately though, this man fought with a wild, yet controlled style; hardly the manner of a desperate junkie or common thug.
The man feinted, luring Adam to strike, but this outlaw saw it coming and quickly thrust his blade into Adam's chest, just missing his heart. Adam collapsed, in shock from the serious wound. The man quickly grabbed Adam's wallet from his pocket before fleeing.
This might have been the end for Adam. He could feel his strength, his very life slipping away. His limbs felt so cold, so numb. Voices were distant and increasingly hard to focus on or comprehend. His vision became tunneled, blackness covering his eyes. "No," he thought, "it can't end like this. What have I done wrong? I haven't fulfilled my purpose…" Suddenly a brilliant white light blinded his eyes.
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
"You're right." came the reply, "You have not yet fulfilled your purpose. You are not even aware of the plans I have laid for you." The light seemed to be less obscuring and yet no less bright. He could begin to see human forms. Only they weren't human.
They glowed an ethereal white and there were countless individuals. He looked down, then around him, seeing beautiful wondrous surroundings, ripe green fields, lush dense forests, and warm sunny coasts. Many more individuals could be scene all around. He looked up to see countless worlds painting the sky. Each carefully watched over by these benevolent entities, these angels.
Then a brilliant human figure appeared and yet He radiated with such power that Adam could tell this was no human. "God?" he asked, feeling a bit dumbstruck to be questioning such power. The being smiled a bit and chuckled "No, I am but His servant. I am I came to you to explain many things for you, that you might better grasp your new purpose. Come with me."
The being identified himself as Raphael and was an agent of God almighty, tasked especially with interacting with mortals who were caught between life and death. He spoke with authority and yet was oddly personable, and had an aura of grace and tranquility that showed in his conversation with Adam.
Adam had always gone to church and had a strong faith but the actual revelation of this 'Heaven' amazed him far more than he could have imagined. The sights were so wondrous and the wealth of knowledge Raphael conveyed to him just as inspiring. And yet with all these sights, he still felt that he could not fully grasp them, as if he were viewing it all through a veil. Raphael explained this was because he had not died and that his mortal mind was incapable of fully fathoming the wonders of Heaven. This brought Raphael to his point: Adam had been chosen.
Because of his faith and noble work, God had trusted him to fulfill His will in earthly matters. Adam would be blessed with new powers but would also face horror and tragedy before his work would be done should he choose to accept such a responsibility. If he declined the task, another would be chosen and Adam would reawake in his mortal body and carry on his life as normal.
Adam weighed these choices for a short time but ultimately accepted the task entrusted to him. He would become the Archangel, a servant of God in the mortal realm tasked with defending the innocent and combating evil wherever it threatened unjustly those whom the Lord had chosen. Adam was to help uphold the balance of good and evil in the world by ensuring that evil would not gain unfair hold of the world's souls till God's will be carried out.
To this end Adam was coated in Holy Armor a powerful armor imbued with God's blessing giving it incredible strength and toughness. Designed specifically for mortals in Adam's unique position, it would protect his being from the corruption of the forces of evil though his mortal soul would still feel the effects of such attacks. Should he be overwhelmed, he would fall unconscious and was subject to being recalled by Heaven at any notice. This would not always happen as God had set purpose in every action and thus it may be in His will that Heaven not rescue Adam whenever he was faced with danger. Adam would have to have faith and choose his battles wisely.
The armor was a brilliant white with subtle trimmings in gold and silver and this trim was inscribed with protective runes of the Lord to keep the powers of evil at bay. The only marking on the armor itself though was a small cross in the center of the breastplate. Adam was given power over light and could use the power to form melee weapons to combat evil. In addition he could release beams of holy light from his hand to both illuminate and as a concussive blast against his foes.
From the back of his armor shot out long tendrils of light of varying lengths. Individually they had the appearance of tentacles of a brilliant glowing ethereal light. However when viewed as a group, they had the appearance of abstract wings. Adam tested out this power and utilized these wings to fly about this realm. He then formed a large sword that he found himself capable of wielding single-handedly. He found that he was blessed with holy strength surpassing a normal human's though the armor was amazingly light for it's appearance. After firing a beam of light from his hand, Raphael summoned him.
Adam returned to Raphael who was making final preparations for Adam's return to the mortal realm. There, he would be known as Archangel and his first assignment was to track down the evil being that nearly ended his life and report back to the powers of Heaven. Before parting Adam was told that his powers had their limits due to his inherently mortal nature but that they were also capable of expanding and learning new techniques the more powerful evil he combated. Before parting Raphael gave him these words,
"Remember, Adam, you are a child of God and that He will always take watch over you, protecting you. He will not put you in such a situation that you cannot handle. Above all, trust in Him for everything that happens, happens because it is His will. Go now, and serve Him and His blessings will repay you countless times over."
Adam prayed he would be able to live up to this high responsibility as the white light in his vision became blinding again. Then, he awoke within the world with but a whisper through his ear "Jump City" it said. Jump City would be where Archangel would head.
Author's Note: Ok, I felt productive tonight so I thought I'd write another chapter. Sorry, this one wasn't a Titans one but I needed to get this character created while I had it in my head. I don't own the Diablo rights so any resemblance to Tyrael is strictly coincidental. We'll soon be throwing Archangel into the Titans mix! I'm excited. As you probably guessed I'm pretty religious but I don't mean to rub everyone's face in it or anything. The only reason I that went on as much as it did was that it was necessary to explain the origins and capabilities of my character. If you're not digging my whole religious vibe here, don't worry; I'm not going to be using Archangel in every story (though he may make appearances every so often). I always felt like Superheroes and religion never seemed to cross over too much, at least that's how it was for Christianity and superpowers. Usually it was a demon or some such thing but I wanted to create a hero who's powers were given by God but still was mortal and thus had limitations and wasn't all preachy every two seconds like most Christian media. I might even make him into an anti-hero ;-) Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to share my faith but I feel the other person needs to want to receive it just as much as I want to share it. Don't worry, next chapter (hopefully coming within a week), will be back to the Titans and further the plot more. Anyway, other than that, I hope you could at least stomach this chapter. I'm keeping busy with school and rocking out (currently playing: Ludo's Broken Bride EP…it's amazing! Should be done with Robin and Starfire as the Traveler and Bride respectively! Check it out). Oh I miss Starfire being on TV, I wish I could write her better so I could do her more justice. Such a sweetheart! ;-D Take care everyone
Yours always,
'Robin' Grayson