WARRIOR'S WRATH

CHAPTER 3

A/N: We have a lot of ground to cover so let's get started.

ONE YEAR AGO

He is a Power. They were not only warriors of heaven but also angelic advisors for humans. When the Father disappeared, he felt lost . At first Furiad ,didn't want any part of this war. He just wanted Father back he wanted the old ways back . He hated that the Great Archangels warred with each other. They were their commanders , leaders. Uniting with Gabriel he believed that he was the Archangel to bring the old ways back. But even that belief he was now being questioned.

He was flying over the Salt Lake Valley doing reconnaissance for Gabriel .At the distance he saw one of the large temples the humans have built. He recalled that a group called Mormons built them. He found the humans penchant for building tall edifices amusing , they seem to truly desire to reach the skies with these structures. There was a figure standing next to the tallest spire. It was a woman. Uncommonly tall for human women . The fabric of her purplish robes blew around her and hugged a well muscled yet feminine figure. He drew closer for he was curious. He hovered directly in front with his majestic red wings covering the sky in front of her and regarded her. Her veiled head lifted , and blue eyes as dark as the Aegean Sea returned his fiery red stare. Fearless, unwavering. And so began a strange alliance.

PRESENT

He entered thru the garage, he didn't want to do that but he doubted if Michael could walk far. Hell ! he even doubted if he could walk far his entire body hurt like a son of a bitch. The wound on his leg was not bleeding which was good news. Whatever mumbo jumbo Michael did seemed to be working. He saw a service entrance where they could enter, he parked the jeep near a crumbling wall it had a lot of debris around , he felt the jeep could stay hidden there.

" Ok we're here , let me get my stuff then I'll help you out " Alex said as he opened the jeep's door.

The Archangel was leaning his head against the seat with eyes closed. His breathing measured but not labored he had already been warned not to wake him up "I'm meditating" he had said seriously. "Whatever," Alex hissed.

Alex went to the back and collected his duffel and packed the water he had , medical kit and some more supplies he found in a box under the back seat then grabbed his AR15 . He suddenly heard the door open and saw Michael standing up holding onto the side of the jeep, listing dangerously to one side .

Alex hurried over to his side "Whoa! I've got you big guy. Geez, didn't I tell you to wait for me ,"Alex sat him back down again on the seat. He positioned his things in one arm .

" Can you walk?" Michael looked at him unsteadily, huffed then stood up slowly holding onto the seat. He began to waver again. "Wait.. " he started to say but stopped when Michael basically gave him the " glare of death" .

" Alright , ok just lean on me and let's go ". Michael wordlessly put one arm on his shoulder as Alex wrapped an arm on his waist. They went inside the building. Holding his rifle on his free hand, alert as they slowly made their way inside what looked like a small kitchen.

Moving through in an agonizingly slow pace they were out in the hallway. Alex hesitated whether to go right or left. Michael must have sensed it " Go right ,"he spoke softly ."We have to go up the stairs " .

" You think that's a good idea" . The Archangel winced then glared at him.

On the second flight , Michael stopped and shoved Alex down . He put his fingers on his lips and cocked his head down . Alex heard hissing and something like cackling. He peered over the edge of the stairs see and saw four " eights " come in thru the door. Michael kept low and laid very still . The eight balls moved down the hallway away from stairs.

Alex picked up Michael almost dragging him now. He was barely walking. " You're too tall,"he grumbled as he groaned with effort .

They were on the hallway of the third level . "Here, it's safe" he whispered . Even with Michael's assurance , he slowly opened the door of one of the rooms entering with his rifle before him .

The room had two beds that were worn and dusty." This would have to do" Alex said resignedly. Most of the glass walls were intact except for two panels ,it opened out into the balcony. Of course he chooses a room with a freakin' view, he thought to himself. But the other side was mostly intact.

Alex breathe a sigh of relief . He gently took off Michael's long coat , he laid him on top of that then took off his shirt . Alex folded his jacket and placed if under neath his head . Michael's eyes were closed his breaths even.

He began working quickly he cleaned his hands and searched his duffel and found supplies to start an intravenous line . He was one of a few that had basic medical trauma training, he volunteered because he wanted to avoid a sanitation detail.

He had the fluid started and going into Michael's body.

"Now for the hard part." He examined the wound. Gave a sigh then another deeper sigh , he put on the gloves from the medical kit , got the bandages . He poured antiseptic around it . He put the bandages against the wound and held onto the blade ,he closed his eyes tight .

" I would appreciate it if you have your eyes open while doing this " Michael intoned suddenly

" Son of a bitch! " He cried startled. He looked at Michael ." This is crazy I don't know if I can do this. What if I make it worse". His hands shook. "Remove it in one stroke quickly,now, Alex," he urged.

Breathing fast he held the blade and pulled it out straight in one movement. The metal clattered to the ground as he let go . He poured antiseptic over the wound . There was blood coming out he held the bandage over it .

Michael drew a deep breath . Alex' s worried face hovered above him. " I'll be fine," he promised and closed his eyes again. Alex silently bandaged his wound.

When it seemed that the bleeding slowed down ,he covered the wound with fresh bandages. Alex sat on a chair and ate one of the energy bars he had in his duffel while he kept vigil. He stood and picked up the piece of empyrean steel on the floor, wiped it and studied it . It almost looked like a reddish crystal with a dull glow coming from it. He wrapped it carefully with a cloth and placed it inside his duffel.

After hours of adrenaline rush, he was hurting and tired and hungry ,he could barely keep his eyes open now. " No , I have to stay awake" berating himself .But he felt soo tired. Maybe I can close my eyes for a minute ".

A haze began to fill his consciousness . " Blood ,so much blood coming from Michael, his face in so much pain, clutching his middle. Alex looked down and blood was dripping from his own hand , they fell on the floor and formed the words . "Save him to save them".

He woke up with a start, sweating. He walked over to the bed. Michael was so pale and he felt so cold under his hand . He could see the bandages getting soaked with blood .He kneeled beside the bed.

" Everybody who ever cared for me gets hurt or dies, my mother, Dad, Claire, Bixby. YOU! you can't leave. You died for me when I was still a baby , COME ON you can't do that again, Shit! Michael am I really that bad" he sobbed as he wiped his sleeve across his nose.

" I need you this whole destiny thing I don't know what to do. You believe in me as much as my Dad did... "Please..please..his words barely a whisper, a prayer in his heart...I'm sorry...please not this time..if you can hear me please...I believe ..." his body suddenly went weak, his eyes began to close as he clutched Michael's hand.

Unbeknownst to him the markings on his arm emitted a soft glow as it moved towards Michael's hand.

Becca Thorn was worried. She hasn't seen Michael since the council meeting that morning. Thru discreet inquiries she also knew that Alex Lannen had been missing since mid morning. Alex Lannen had left the city walls again and Michael had gone after him.

Ever since she saw him fight with that red armored angel, she worried more. She knew how Gabriel hated humanity. Those angels were sent to damage the nuclear power plant. Michael had to fight them to protect Vega and make sure containment held. It has been Michael vs Gabriel and lower angels. Now it's Michael vs Gabriel, lower angels and these things called Powers.

Her heart went out for him, she saw it as a lonely fight. She asked him about it once if he felt that. He just looked at her intently and answered in his distinguished deep voice "You are worth the fight". When he said that her heart just leapt because for one brief moment she felt Michael meant just HER and not the whole of humanity, but of course she knew better.

The nerve of Secretary Whele to attempt to blackmail her. Though she was very young compared to the others, she was no ingenue. She needed to talk to Riesen in the meantime.

She was sitting in a chair poised like a swan, The room had high marble ceilings with intricate carvings on the walls it was once called the Celestial Room by its previous occupants , Queen Evelyn found it appropriate. Furiad with his helmet removed was staring out of one the tall windows. She had listened to Furiad, not speaking. After he spoke she sat in quiet contemplation , on a high backed , ornate chair with gold fabric. She had a cream colored high necked long gown, and long sleeves, intricate gold stitching on the edges that hugged her figure . She had a long veil that reached down to her feet, luxurious cream silk with the same gold stitching , her face was uncovered this time. Long, jet black hair framed deep set eyes rimmed with long black lashes, high cheekbones, a straight nose and full lips . Olive skin shimmered where the sun hit it. She was breathtakingly beautiful and feared.

"The Chosen One was a tool to bargain, with Gabriel . We needed the Archangel dead so we can take Vega and it's nuclear power. It was a very simple plan Furiad ,in return you can have Vega and it's citizens", her melodious voice dripping with fury. She stood behind him her long fingers grazing his arm .

He continued to stand and stare out the window ,unmoving with fiery red eyes, seething. In his own pragmatic thinking Furiad reasoned that God may never come back, therefore the old ways will never be again. By eliminating one of the Archangels the war would end. Logic dictated it would be Michael since he protected their objective , the Chosen course, Furiad knew about the other angels being secretly sheltered by Michael that's why Vega was important to him. But Evelyn didn't need to know that. Evelyn, he mused, maybe it's this human form, he was drawn to her inexplicably. It was different when they touched. She was beautiful, bold , strong and wise her only flaw was that she was human.

"But all is not lost, my spies tell me Michael and the Chosen One have not yet returned . This is an opportunity "she said as she stood next to him . She touched his face gently,he turned to her . Her jasmine scent intoxicating him like no other. He leaned in to her touch as he moved closer , she initiated a kiss and he yielded and the world around them was soon forgotten.

Arika walked along the opulent hallway of her residence in Vega , it was for a better word a golden cage . Her residence was luxurious fitting a woman of her station as Consort to Queen Evelyn , but nevertheless she was not able to go anywhere without a guard or Whele's prior approval. Her female guard trailed her.

She saw Sgt. Noma Walker step out of the shadows and approach her." Sergeant ,"she greeted with a beguiling smile. Noma offered a smile in return, "Queen Evelyn wants to talk to you " . Arika's eyebrows shot up in surprise , she felt a blow to the back of her head before darkness claimed her.

Harsh sunlight filtered thru the windows. Michael opened his eyes and drew a deep breath . Then drew another deep breath and sat up . He felt no pain. He saw Alex sleeping figure , head resting on the side on the bed , hand clutched on his, he gently released it without disturbing him. He looked down and removed the bloody bandage and saw undamaged skin underneath. His brow furrowed, puzzled. He removed the intravenous in his arm and swung his long legs to the floor. He rummaged around the duffel bag and found an extra shirt, he put it on.

He picked up his coat and sighed , " So how long have you been watching me ".

A figure came out from the shadows in a corner of the room "Oh, long enough to see your human here, use Father's markings,"was the answer. A woman almost as tall as Michael stepped out into the light , long waist length blond hair shone like the sun. Her skirted leather cuirass hugged her lithe and strong figure . Her right upper arm was covered with a leather and metal pauldron that formed an elegant collar on her neck. She had intricate leather and metal vambraces covering her hands and lower arms. A sword with an unusual carved circular hilt hung by her side. Dark green eyes regarded him solemnly.

" I felt you almost die Michael" she snapped. Michael walked over to her. "Should I be comforted that it took my near demise as an incentive for you to see your little brother ?. Twenty five years Uriel, where were you ?", he challenged.

She raised an elegant brow at him. " As long as we're asking questions Michael, how dare you keep the Chosen One for yourself,"she scolded. Another elegant eyebrow was raised back at her. Michael indulged her avoidance for now." He isn't ready yet Uriel , he needs time" he said quietly.

She stepped over to Alex and peered at him. "Well he looked ready to me earlier." She circled him. "He seems very masculine, handsome," she traced the tattoos peeking under his long sleeved shirt then glided her hands along his arms all the way to his shoulders. "No wonder you've been keeping him to yourself, I wouldn't want to share him too." She said in a low voice a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Let's see ... " faster than the eyes can see she whipped out her sword , as it moved to Alex' s neck , Michael swiftly blocked her with his hand , bringing the sword in front of her face.

" I wasn't going to kill him . Michael, always so so serious,"she mocked. Michael stepped back but still stood in front of Alex, watching as she whirled the blade into its circular hilt in one movement and tucked it back into the sheath in her belt.

She perched herself on one of the tables ,leaning back ,legs encased in supple leather leggings crossed. She shook her blond hair and looked at him ." So what do we do now , dear brother," she flashed a perfect set of white teeth at him.

Michael sighed and uttered a brief prayer about his flawed family tree . "We ? What do you mean ... We?! " he asked evenly.

Before she can answer. They heard a thud as a chair fell on the floor. " Michael ! What .. uhh , YOU'RE ALIVE!", Michael turned and saw a wide eyed Alex just launch himself at him , Alex encircled him with an extremely tight hug. " Yes , Alex I' m alive" hugging the human back a little tentatively. " Thanks to you ," he said softly.

Michael could feel Uriel's eyes rolling behind his back as she loudly cleared her throat. Releasing himself from the hug , Michael turned , "Alex this is my sister Uriel, Uriel ..Alex Lannon". She gave him an intense look and a slight smile that completely unnerved Alex , he felt like he was being eyed as a meal by a tiger. She was magnificent. Alex was awed at the sight oh her, a warrior goddess come to life. Shit! Claire is gonna kill me! .Nice to meet you Ma'm ...Archess? ... Angel? ...Miss? .,. What should I call you? Wow .. You're hot and scary ... But very hot... " he rambled ..I'm so dead now! Michael's eyes rolled, "I should've just died " ..Seriously , he thought. " Her name is Uriel, Alex that's quite enough" he interrupted.

The static crack coming from the radio in Alex's duffel bag interrupted the scene. " Alert all emergency systems ...all civilians follow evacuation protocol . Several bogies spotted in hostile formation ... Vega airspace ..." .

" What I need to do is go to Vega now" Michael declared to answer Uriel's earlier question. His long strides moving towards the windows ."I'm coming with you " she said as she gracefully jumped off the table. Michael turned to her with dark piercing eyes ," "Why,"he asked suspicious . " Oh don't give me that look darling, you need me as you have a bad habit of dying," she said as she stared him down. "Uriel" his tone full of warning . " Just shush , I won't hurt your precious humans " she assuaged.

"Umm guys ... We need to go ,"Alex said as he stood with his duffel already strapped to his back and waist. " Should I ride her? Or you? With her or you..Uhhh... Oh! GOD! I'm so sorry " he stammered as two pairs of eyes gave him extremely deadly looks. "He touches me, I end him," she said in a low murderous tone.

" Enough,Vega needs us , you're with me,"he ordered as he took Alex by the waist and took off. Uriel followed. Both flying with dizzying speeds to Vega.

To be continued...

A/N : So this my take on events after episode 3, so it doesn't really follow the series storyline. Think of it more like a 3 or 5 episode arc in a series.

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