Chapter Four
Raphael takes out the orb and touches it, letting the image clear for Michael and Gabriel. "Raphael! Help! It's…" Gabriel touches the orb, pausing the image and he narrows his eyes, seeing a ring on the hand clutching her shoulder. Gabriel lowers his hand and deeply sighs, lacing his fingers together. "Raphael, find Chamuel and bring her to the meeting hall. Uriel will be called forth and questioned. Have guards escort him." Raphael takes off his hat and touches the rim, rubbing his finger against the edge as he lowers his voice. "So it is brother Uriel. Mister Gabriel, what are we going to do? He's one of us." Michael's eyes sadden and he touches Raphael's shoulder, taking a step closer. "We are going to get justice for Stella. Go and do as you are told. Gabriel and I shall be waiting in the meeting hall." Raphael touches his stomach and bows, taking off to the sky again.
Michael looks up at Raphael, seeing his brown wings vanish into the midnight sky and he looks down at Gabriel, seeking a familiar expression. "The timing is terrible and I'm sorry to have mentioned it without you finding your own way first. When Archangels love, it's forever. Find your way, brother. I shall meet you there."
Michael takes off to the meeting hall and Gabriel stares into the flowerbed, slowly lowering himself on an ivory bench, and thinking. The crickets strum their legs to create soft music as Gabriel looks around the garden, seeing the kingdom in the far distance. He thinks for a moment, about love, about his views and then he thinks about Michael. Training in the arena, battles in the sky, quiet nights logging their thoughts and quick glances with voiceless thoughts.
The soft breeze below and harsh winds above move the calm clouds away from the moon, lighting the garden in a blue-hue. Gabriel rises from the bench, placing his hands behind his back and he slowly approaches a hedge maze and then he enters.
"A maze, much like the heart of a man who has never loved before. Entering the unknown, blind to everything in his vision but where the walls lead him. He relies on his instincts and his own heart to guide him through the mysteries."
Gabriel places his hand on the cool, trimmed hedge, gliding his fingers on the soft leaves and he continues to walk, trusting himself. "A man must prepare for love like he prepares and enters war. He says a prayer, hoping that he will come out alive, if it ever should end. He walks in unprepared and no matter what armor he possesses, it will not stop him from any attack. He will either die on the field, a warrior who took the chance, or he will return home with another heart as his trophy."
The soft sound of leaves rustling in the wind grows louder as he approaches the exit, coming to his final thought. Gabriel slowly steps out of the maze, spreading his wings and he touches his chest. "I am ready for war, Michael." In a swift motion, Gabriel launches himself in the air and flies towards the meeting hall.