The creation of Man causes a great change in Heaven. God has bestowed them the names of Adam and Eve. He has given them a realm of their own in the Garden of Eden, and the angels are ordered to protect them. Michael is the first to accept this and he quickly assigns warrior angels to guard Eden.
Lucifer is not so accepting.
He watches the strange creatures from afar, creatures made in his Father's image, and that fact angers him more than he thought possible. Why would his Father create these wingless abominations? Is He not happy with His angels? Is He not happy with him, His favored archangel? These thoughts race across his mind and he returns to Heaven in a streak of brilliant white light, not stopping even when Seraphiel calls out to him. He stops only when none of his siblings surround him and he cloaks himself from detection.
They are not welcome here.
They must leave.
000
"Hey there, little bro."
Gabriel was patrolling the outer rim of Heaven when he came upon Seraphiel. It was uncommon to see him so far away from their Father's throne.
"What are you doing way out here?" Gabriel asks, observing to dulled glimmer of Seraphiel's grace.
"It is Lucifer. He has been troubled for the longest time and I wish to help him, but I do not know how."
Of course. Gabriel has watched Lucifer's and Seraphiel's bond grow over the centuries and Seraphiel is only unhappy when Lucifer is, which has been quite often lately. Gabriel isn't sure of how to approach his older brother. He is changing, and Gabriel is positive it's because of the humans.
"Don't worry about him. He's just jealous that Father has something new to play with."
Seraphiel frowns. "Lucifer is jealous of Man? Why? They do not shine like he does; they do not even have wings, nor grace. I will speak with him." He leaves before Gabriel can get another word in. He flies toward the chambers, knowing from experience that Lucifer will be there. His assumption proves correct when he feels Lucifer's grace respond to his.
"Lucifer?" Seraphiel enters one of the rooms to find his brother standing with his back to the door. Seraphiel stands there for a moment, watching the light radiate from Lucifer's wings, before he speaks.
"I worry about you, brother."
"There is no need to." Lucifer's voice is strangely subdued and he turns to face Seraphiel. One of his hands is raised with his palm up and a glimmering substance hovers above it, flowing and twisting like smoke. Seraphiel watches as the material compresses and forms into a dark stone and falls into Lucifer's hand. "Onyx," he murmurs softly. "For Michael." He looks at Seraphiel and then crushes the stone in his fist. The fine black dust slips through his fingers and falls to the floor.
"Brother…" Seraphiel looks up from the remains of the stone. "Gabriel has told me that Man may be causing you distress. I have come to tell you that you must not let the creatures trouble you. They know not of the true glory of Heaven."
"But they will."
Another substance materializes and swirls above Lucifer's hand. He watches it absently as he speaks. "Father has promised them Heaven when they perish. He has given them the ability to create life, a wondrous gift that he did not even bestow upon us." A red stone now floats above Lucifer's hand. The Morning Star flicks his hand and the stone begins to move towards Seraphiel. "Garnet, Seraphiel. A stone of passionate devotion." Seraphiel allows the stone float to him and he catches it in one hand, tilting his head at Lucifer.
"I do not understand."
Lucifer smiles faintly. "There is no need to," he repeats. Something distant enters his eyes as he looks at his brother. Seraphiel's wings are no longer the rusty red color they once were. He is fully grown now, and his wings shine a fierce red. He has come a long way from the little angel that he took under his wing all those centuries ago.
Seraphiel stares at Lucifer warily, recognizing affection in the ancient gray eyes of his elder brother. Normally, this would cause Seraphiel joy, but under these circumstances it only causes him more worry.
"Passionate devotion," Lucifer murmurs again, seemingly to himself. He focuses on Seraphiel again, that same distant emotion swimming in his gaze. Seraphiel recognizes it to be sadness. "You would not abandon me, would you, brother?"
"Of course not," Seraphiel answers immediately. Lucifer does not reply, but only continues to look at Seraphiel with that same sad gaze. Something is beginning to shift, Seraphiel can feel it with Lucifer, and he can feel it in all of Heaven, spreading like some sort of airborne disease. He doesn't know what it is, but every instinct is telling him that it is not in any way good. He looks down at the stone Lucifer created and encompasses it in both of his hands. When he opens them the garnet has morphed into a sparkling diamond. He sends it to Lucifer, who grasps it in one hand.
The two brothers stare at each other from across the room and the shift seems that much more real.
"I must leave, Seraphiel. Raphael wishes to discuss a concern with me."
Seraphiel remains quiet as Lucifer moves towards the door, depositing the diamond in his hand as he passes. Once Lucifer is gone Seraphiel clenches his fist and the diamond shatters.
He bows his head and he prays as the shards clatter to the floor.
Man proves to be highly intelligent on a level that is equal to the angels. Adam frequently asks for their company, interested in the way of their warriors. God has forbidden His angels to speak of what they defend Adam and Eve from. However, Adam is happy to learn about their weapons and watch as a few angels spar.
Eve is another matter entirely.
As a human female, she represents something different, a softer side. Her form is slight and pleasing compared with the hard contours of Adam, and many angels find themselves wanting her company. They admire her gentle and kind nature towards any living creature, large and small. She enjoys the angel's company as well, though she seeks Raphael's more often than not. She has become used to having the angel of healing around, and she will often come to him if she finds an injured animal. Raphael has gladly healed any creature she brought to him, also finding her company different and pleasing to that of his siblings. It is a shame Lucifer does not share in the joy that Adam and Eve create. Raphael tried to confront Lucifer about it, explaining that they are now permanent fixtures in their world, but Lucifer became cold, his eyes hard, and he left without another word, leaving Raphael to ponder over the sudden and dark change that flitted across Lucifer's grace for the split second that the Morning Star's eyes met his. There was something different his eyes, something that Raphael had never seen before. He hopes he will never see it again.
Gabriel watches the angels and humans interact from above, his face blank. The creation of Man has been weighing heavily on his mind as soon as the arguing began. Normally disputes between angels disappeared as abruptly as they began. But this…this is different.
This is between Michael and Lucifer. Two of the greatest archangels in Heaven.
At first, Gabriel paid no attention when the two started quarreling. It was normal for them. With Michael being as single minded as he is and Lucifer's…sensitiveness, they butted heads quite often. But after Man's creation, all they do is argue. Lucifer doesn't agree with their Father and Michael is obedient to His every word. Man is driving a rift between the brothers and Gabriel feels as if he is caught in the middle, trying to calm Lucifer down and placate Michael before things get out of hand. And Gabriel knows that Michael wouldn't go as far as to hurt Lucifer, but he isn't willing to take that chance, especially with how Lucifer responds to Michael. He's spiteful, and somehow he ends up manipulating Michael into believing that he was the one doing something wrong, not Lucifer. The Light Bearer is cunning with his words, devious at times, but Gabriel has never seen him employ such tactics on their older brother before. It's ridiculously frightening, how easily Lucifer skirts around the force of nature that is Michael, wheedling away at him until Michael either backs off, bewildered and silent at Lucifer's sharp words, or just shuts down completely and glares at Lucifer so fiercely that it's a miracle in itself that Lucifer doesn't melt into a puddle on the spot.
These arguments always begin with Man.
Gabriel doesn't particularly care for the humans, but even he was shocked with what their Father announced just a short while after their creation.
Angels were to bow before Man.
This caused great turmoil in Heaven and Michael quelled it all when he descended from the realm of Creation and kneeled before Adam and Eve as he pledged himself to Man.
Lucifer watches the scene from afar, appalled by Michael's deference to the two legged creatures of dust, and he rockets himself to Heaven to seek solitude and to put his plan to action. He has noticed that a fair amount of angels showed reluctance with their Father's orders. If enough can be persuaded for their cause, surely their Father would listen. He would not cast them all out, certainly not if they were supported by Lucifer, God's favored angel. He would listen.
Reassured, Lucifer changes his course and seeks Astaroth. He locates him quickly.
"Astaroth, I would like to have a word with you…" Lucifer leads him to the chambers and out of prying eyes. Not far away, Seraphiel watches as the two disappear into the hallowed halls, his expression tight. He does not notice an angel approaching him.
"Greetings, brother."
Seraphiel turns to see the angel that first invited him to sing all those years ago. Despite his mood Seraphiel smiles at his brother.
"Hello, Zadkiel."
"Something is troubling you," the green eyed angel observes.
Seraphiel nods and turns back to stare the chamber's entrance.
"I feel that something terrible will happen very soon. I am at a loss of what to do, Zadkiel." Seraphiel focuses his golden gaze on his longtime friend, suddenly very happy that the other angel initiated their meeting. If he hadn't, they might have never become friends.
"Perhaps you should confront this yourself, Seraphiel. Standing back and watching will not be of any use."
"Hmm." For the first time he can remember, Seraphiel feels a sort of apprehension at the thought of confronting Lucifer. They have not talked like they used to, and Lucifer has been spending more and more time to himself. He is changing, and Seraphiel doesn't like it. Despite this, he nods.
"I will. Thank you, Zadkiel."
"It is my pleasure." A spark of mischief enters his gaze. "Would you like to race? That is, if you do not mind the bitter taste of defeat."
Seraphiel snorts in amusement and spreads his wings. "I know nothing of the taste, brother. I accept your challenge."
"Eager to lose, are you? We will fly from this location to the outer rim and back. The winner must give up their prized piece of armor. Do you agree to these terms?"
Seraphiel smirks. "Yes."
"Alright. On three. One…"
Zadkiel launches himself forward, leaving Seraphiel behind, who laughs and chases after him. Seraphiel catches up quickly to Zadkiel, two streaks of red and green light neck and neck. As they approach the outer rim a distinct tingle races through Seraphiel, but he ignores it as he passes his brother. Before he can reach the outer rim and double back, a terrible shriek sounds and he halts, Zadkiel right behind him.
"Seraphiel, move!"
Seraphiel darts away from a flaming pillar of black fire aimed at him, his grace flaring in defense.
An Evil One.
It has two pairs of blood red eyes and a snarling mouth filled with razor sharp fangs. Its skin is black and leathery, the beast's shape in that of a sphere. Black smoke trails from its body in tendrils, the stench appalling.
"Tiny creatures of flight, thou shall perish before thy power!"
Another wave of black flames shoot from the Evil One's mouth and Zadkiel moves away quickly, coming to hover next to Seraphiel. They do not have their weapons, but all an angel needs is their grace.
"Zadkiel, distract the beast while I find its weakest point."
Seraphiel has never dealt with an Evil One before, but he has heard of them from Michael. They are supposed to dwell deep within the universe. One has not entered Heaven in eons.
This is a bad omen.
As Zadkiel takes up the offense, Seraphiel prepares to charge at the Evil One. Before he can call upon his grace he is grabbed suddenly and dragged to the ground. He catches an angry flash of brown eyes and the harsh order to "Stay."
Not a second later Zadkiel receives the same treatment and they both watch as Gabriel unsheathes his sword, golden wings arched, a perfect image of power and fierceness. He dives toward the Evil One and dips under the onslaught of fire, twisting and dragging his blade up the side of the beast, who lets loose a grating rumble of anger. Gabriel flies away just in time to avoid a blast of gas that Seraphiel can tell is poisonous. From out of nowhere a white blast of energy resembling a comet slams into the Evil One, hurling the creature past the outer rim and out of Heaven.
Michael.
The head archangel chases their foe with his sword raised, Gabriel flanking him. The Evil One is no match for the two archangels and it falls before them, its corpse gently floating away into the dark abyss of space, never to be seen again.
Only when to the two archangels are heading towards them does Seraphiel realize the seriousness of the situation. He turns to Zadkiel.
"Brother, you must leave." A protest is already forming from the other angel, but Seraphiel urges him away. "Go, Zadkiel. I will be fine. Later I will give you my shield." Zadkiel looks uncertain, but he gives a brief smile before he takes flight, leaving Seraphiel to face his brothers. And they look very, very angry. As soon as they land Gabriel explodes.
"Seraphiel! What were you thinking? You do not take on an Evil One with only one other angel, especially of his rank! You could have been killed, do you understand that? You should have known to summon an archangel when you sensed it in the first place! What were you doing?" His grace crackles like static, hot with anger. Seraphiel has never seen Gabriel so angry before, especially at him, and it's so overwhelming that all he can do is bow his head and press his wings so hard against his back that they quiver.
"I was…racing," he offers quietly.
Gabriel is silent for a few seconds, apparently too shocked to speak. The he explodes again and Seraphiel flinches back.
"Racing! Racing! You were racing? And what, you just thought it would be okay to lower your guard and allow that beast into Heaven? Our home? What do you think Father –"
"That is enough, Gabriel." Michael's voice is sharp and his gaze is hard as he stares down at Seraphiel. The messenger angel grumbles but remains silent. Seraphiel begins to wilt under the weight of Michael's glare. His once vibrantly colored wings dim to a faded orange and they droop until they drag across the ground as his grace curls tightly. Michael…Michael scares him, to be honest.
He wishes he could disappear.
He chances a look up at Michael, only to shrink even further into himself at the coldness in the emerald depths.
"I am very disappointed in you, Seraphiel. You ignored your instinct and as a result Heaven was put in danger. I would have expected this behavior from a fledgling. Not you." Michael's words cut deep and all that remains of Seraphiel's grace is a withering wisp of orange light as he stands before his brothers, thoroughly humiliated. "You are dismissed," Michael finally says, and he turns away from Seraphiel.
Seraphiel doesn't feel like he can fly very far at the moment, but the urge to get away from his brother's disappointment is enough motivation to get him out of sight. His wings resemble the color of a dying sun as he floats slowly through Heaven, seeking out the comforting presence of Lucifer. He visits the chambers, a wave of disappointment washing over him when there is no sign of his brother. Still, he calls out with his grace weakly, and when Lucifer responds he hurries to his location.
He finds the Morning Star in one of the lower regions in the company of Sonneillon. Something about the other angel sets Seraphiel on edge. He has always felt discomfort when in the presence of his older brother.
"You seem a little duller than usual," Sonneillon says, his gleaming dark eyes surveying Seraphiel closely. "Having a hard time, hm?"
"I wish to speak with Lucifer," Seraphiel states, drawing up to his full height. "Alone."
Sonneillon smirks and unfolds his coal black wings. "Very well. I will see you soon, Seraphiel." Once the angel leaves Seraphiel turns to the Light Bringer.
"I do not like him," Seraphiel says.
Lucifer simply stares at him, eyes narrowed.
"Why did you call for me?"
Seraphiel is startled by the harshness in Lucifer's tone and he backs away a step, eyeing his brother warily.
"If I had known my presence would not have been wanted I would not have come."
Lucifer's expression softens and he blankets Seraphiel's coiled grace with his own, the action familiar and…wrong.
Very, very wrong.
"What troubles you, Seraphiel? Did you think that an Evil One could be defeated so easily? That you and one warrior angel could fell a creature almost as old as time?"
Seraphiel bristles, separating his grace from Lucifer's. Something is not right.
"How did you know?"
Lucifer chuckles and shakes his head. "I have been around for countless eons, Seraphiel. I know when a beast such as that enters Heaven. I am sure Michael was not pleased with you." Seraphiel dips his head and nods.
"Gabriel was there also. I have never seen him so angry before."
Seraphiel misses Lucifer's sly smile.
"Well, I think that their reaction was completely inappropriate. After all, any other angel would have fled. But you, you stepped up the challenge and refused to back down. Am I correct?" Lucifer's piercing gray eyes bore into Seraphiel's and he smiles at his younger brother. "Remember what I said. We are different, you and I. You do remember?" Seraphiel hesitates, finally nodding.
"Yes, but –"
"What do you think of Man?" Lucifer interrupts. Confusion starts to grow within Seraphiel at his brother's behavior. Why is he acting so oddly?
"I…I do not have an opinion on them. I do not particularly care for them," responds Seraphiel. Lucifer must have heard something that he agreed with because he smiles and steps closer to Seraphiel, that cunning gleam in his eyes surfacing.
"Yes, but what do you think of Father's command to bow before them? Do you agree with that?"
"I agree with whatever our Father commands."
Lucifer gazes knowingly at him and says, "So much like Michael, aren't you? But he does not treat the way I do, does he?" Seraphiel hesitates again and Lucifer wraps an arm around his shoulders. "We are close, aren't we?" Seraphiel nods.
"Yes."
"But you feel as if we are growing more distant."
"Yes."
"It is Michael."
Seraphiel stiffens and looks at Lucifer. "What do you mean?" he asks, eyes narrowed.
"He is driving us apart. He is willing to serve Man as he serves God. Do you think that is right? To praise creatures of clay as we praise our Father, He who has given us all we know? Could you love them as you love Him?"
"Lucifer, I do not understand." Seraphiel rips away from his brother's embrace, heatedly glaring at the Morning Star. "You confuse me with your talk. What is it that you want with me? Why have you been sneaking around?"
Lucifer holds up his hands in a placating gesture and looks calmly at his brother.
"I did not mean to upset you. I merely wanted to see if you wished to join me in my cause."
Seraphiel pauses, his head tilted. "Your…cause?"
"Yes. Angels should not have to bow to Man. If anything, they should bow to me." Lucifer's voice is sure and defiant, clearly confident in his statement.
Seraphiel gapes at his brother, horrified. "What? Lucifer, that is blasphemy! You must not talk in such a way –"
"No, Seraphiel! Bowing to those abominations, that is where the true blasphemy lies! I will not stand for it, nor will the others!"
Panic threatens to overrun Seraphiel as he stares with wide eyes at this power hungry beast that was once his brother.
"Lucifer, what has happened to you? You…you have changed."
Lucifer laughs, a hollow and chilling sound, and it sounds so wrong coming from the most radiant angel in Heaven. "I have not changed. Heaven has changed. I am simply going to return things to the way they were. That is what you want, is it not? I am only doing what you want." As Lucifer speaks angels begin to arrive, landing behind him in a loose half circle. There is a fairly large group; Seraphiel notes nearly one-third of the angels in Heaven. "We choose not to declare Man our Lords. You should not either. Thinks about it. We could rule Heaven together. Will you join me, Seraphiel?"
Seraphiel looks at the rebel group of angels in shock, and the realization of what is going on slams into him suddenly.
They want war.
Lucifer has his hand outstretched in an offering and the other angels are behind him, eying Seraphiel with gleaming eyes. Seraphiel stares at Lucifer's hand and shakes his head, a numb feeling creeping through him.
"No…Lucifer, you cannot do this. Michael, he will kill you, he will kill all of you if you do this."
Rage blossoms on Lucifer's face and his grace swells with power, and Seraphiel backs away quickly, his own grace flaring also.
"He will do no such thing! Will you join me or not, brother? Make your choice."
Seraphiel looks at his mentor, his brother, and his friend, and he shakes his head, backing away even further.
"No." He turns and spreads his wings, finally aware of what the change is that turned Heaven against itself.
It's a chasm, and it's swallowing his family whole.
000
"What's wrong with him? Why does he have to be like that?" Gabriel is pacing, clearly upset as he usually is when one of their siblings is threatened. "I don't understand why he's like that. I never taught him that."
Michael is silent, half listening to his brother as he lets his thoughts wander to the Evil One. Not many of them approach Heaven, let alone enter it without cause. It's in their nature to wait until an opportunity rises. But what do they sense that he can't? What is the opportunity that it perceived?
"I bet it was Lucifer. That's the kind of behavior I would expect for him to do. Except, you know, he'd actually kill it." Gabriel pauses and turns to Michael. "Why would it come here in the first place?"
"I do not know."
Both of the angels pause, sensing the approach of Seraphiel. A few seconds later the younger angel appears, coming up to Michael, who frowns, obviously still angry with him.
"Michael, wait, listen to what I say."
Michael is still frowning, but he nods, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Lucifer is leading a rebellion against Heaven. He has other angels with him, archangels and warriors alike, and they are planning to strike, claiming that they will not bow to Man."
Michael's features harden and his wings unfurl.
"You are sure of this?"
Seraphiel nods and he and Gabriel watch as Michael ascends to the throne of God.
The Great War is beginning.
Major angel angst up next.
Don't forget to reveiw!