Chapter 12: The Onslaught

Alex shivered a little as he walked down the hallway. The aerie often had a cold gust of wind blowing through its halls and it fluttered constantly through even the most hidden rooms. He wondered if the 8-balls ever noticed it, or if they were too busy enjoying their other Earthly delights to really care about the fact that it brought a chill to their bones. Alex tried not to outwardly sneer in disgust at the thought of the 8-balls that he encountered daily. Under Gabriel's rule, their behavior seemed to be getting worse by the week.

Walking into the Feasting Room, as Gabriel liked to call it, Alex paused, noticing that the grand hall was currently occupied. On the large dais was an oversized chair that Gabriel often favored. He was sitting there, stock-still and staring off into the distance. He looked almost pained as he visibly strained to concentrate on whatever it was that he was seeing.

After a moment, Alex realized that he was witnessing Gabriel's attempt at possession. A different type of shiver ran down Alex's spine. Moving slowly, he walked closer, wondering how much Gabriel could sense in the room itself.

The archangel furrowed his brows in concentration and gripped the chair's armrest. "Let me in…"

Alex paused. Who would Gabriel try to possess now? The angels were gone from Vega. So many were killed and any others were part of Gabriel's amassing army in the aerie. Except for Michael. And also Uriel who was free in the world to do as she pleased. Alex held his breath for a moment, thinking hurriedly. Perhaps Gabriel was possessing an angel in the other settlements? Gabriel wouldn't try to possess his sister or brother, would he? Could he even? He had been able to possess a higher angel, but not another archangel?

Gabriel slammed his hand on the armrest with fury. "COME ON! I know you…"

Alex shook his head, wondering if he should intercede and what the consequences would be for such an action. Would Gabriel take his wrath out him or on Noma? Or perhaps the archangel would make good on his word and go after Claire and his child? Or perhaps the whole city? It pained him to watch this angel do whatever it was that he was doing. Alex knew it couldn't be for the good.

And then suddenly a large smile spread over the archangel's face as he hoarsely whispered, "That's it…Let me in...Come on, brother…"

"Shit," Alex said quietly to himself. It had to be Michael, unless Gabriel was speaking figuratively. Torn, Alex stared at the archangel who was reveling in some mental victory. And then the Chosen One made a dicey decision.

Despite the consequences, he stepped closer, although within a safe distance. "Gabriel!" he shouted, trying to distract the angel from whatever he was doing, but the smiling archangel didn't move. Gabriel was still fixated on his prey.

Alex clapped his hands and shouted once more, trying to break Gabriel's concentration. And then he dared to get closer and grabbed the angel by his arm, jostling him. Yet Gabriel didn't veer away from his task. The angel didn't move much. Not much.

Until Alex held his breath and did the unthinkable. He abruptly backhanded the archangel across the face, breaking the tenuous mental link for a moment. Gabriel looked stunned and momentarily confused, but he recovered quickly, glaring up at Alex who was now towering over him.

Alex demanded, "Who are you possessing?"

Gabriel didn't answer at first, his eyes glazing for a moment as he reestablished a shaky link, or tried to, but he spoke to Alex with feigned calm, "Your beloved Michael has been a naughty boy…as usual…"

"Gabriel, you need to leave him alone. Wherever he is…" Alex said sternly, but his unsaid words also hinted at his own curiosity as to where Michael had been and what he had been doing.

Gabriel ignored him for a moment, again trying to reestablish the link but cringing as Michael fought it.

"Gabriel!" Alex shouted, about to reach out to touch him once more.

But Gabriel acted first, standing rapidly and backhanding Alex violently across the face. It sent the Chosen One flying across the room and smacking into the wall. Alex crumpled to the floor with a groan as he lost consciousness.

"Don't distract me, boy." The archangel sat back down and went back to concentrating on his prey.

~~**D**~~

Michael cried out in pain as he gripped his head and fought for his own body. When had Gabriel gotten so strong? And so capable of possessing archangels? The pain intensified and he was afraid he would give in if it continued. There was no time to be incredulous and yet the thoughts kept skittering across his mind. How could his brother attempt to possess him? Why would he do that? This was really happening? Michael cringed, still sitting on his knees as the knocking feeling got stronger in his head. It angered him that his brother would try to possess him. How dare he! Gabriel was hammering away at his mental defenses and it was exhausting.

"Nooo… Gabriel!" he growled loudly with fury and then tried to stand back up, forcing his brother back and shoving the power back the other way.

He looked through Gabriel's eyes once more and saw Alex crumpled in a heap across the room. He wasn't sure what had happened, but he knew he had to somehow help Alex. This was not how it was supposed to be. Alex was his one good thing; his redemption.

And then the pain increased ten-fold and made him fall to his knees yet again. He looked across the room for a moment, feeling suddenly numb and detached as he stared at one of the cartons that had big lettering on it. The Seattle Needle brand logo was on the cartons as well as various other things in the room, and it struck him as odd. What was in Seattle that was so important?

Michael realized suddenly that those were Gabriel's thoughts and not his. He fought again, closing his eyes and cutting off any information that his brother could glean. The pain in his head exploded behind his eyes and he felt sick to his stomach. He turned to face the window again and opened his eyes, only to see someone winged flying towards him.

He was starting to tire. Gabriel was so strong and it made him so ill. And he had been so hard on himself and devastated by what he had done in Vega. He was afraid of becoming the one who slaughtered everyone once more. The one responsible for the Flood. He didn't want to be that… again.

And Gabriel knew that. His brother had banked on it.

Michael felt himself slipping. The self-hatred was getting worse and all consuming. He couldn't tell if Gabriel was the one fueling it, or if he was just finally allowing for it to surface from the depths of his darkest thoughts. His body felt heavy and he wondered if he should just give in. Give up control. It would be so much easier to just give in.

Give in…a voice whispered.

The winged one got closer, becoming more visible in the tumultuous sky. Michael realized who it was and it gave him a moment's lull from the darkness. A moment of hope. He shoved Gabriel out in another concerted effort. The pain seared through him, making him fall over as Azrael landed in front of him and crouched down to get a closer look. Her face was etched with concern.

"What is wrong, Michael?" her voice soft as she tried to pull his hands from his head.

He groaned, resisting her attempt, and curled in on himself as he continued to fight against the damn pain. With one more shove he pushed back at Gabriel only to find himself staring through his eyes again. The hall hadn't changed, but now Alex was standing in front of him again. He was no longer crumpled in the corner, but instead standing tall and vibrant and seemingly holding Michael's face with both hands. Elation and then confusion crossed Michael's mind as he looked up at Alex.

The Chosen One had a look of surprise on his face as well as something else. Something fierce and dangerous.