Interlude: The First Steps Till the Final Stop
It was his first time ever being in a boat such as this.
But he would admit almost immediately that the beauty and serenity of the isolation was something to behold. The gentle feeling of the waves against the boat, the ambience of the world with the distant mutters of people, then there was the views above of the swans and ducks soaring through the sky.
If there were fish swimming underneath them, he would not have been surprised in the least.
"I can see why you would pick this spot."
Those were the only words he could say once they came to a halt, his eyes turned to the man opposite and he felt a smile tug on his lips. Their expression was peaceful, almost as though they were in an act of meditation.
"It is one of the many locations around the world I have come to enjoy frequenting. Sitting upon the waves and allowing the world to pass me by is somewhat…liberating, especially during times that could be otherwise stressful."
Dull golden eyes peeled open, the smile remained on the tanned face of the man.
"Though I would like to think you enjoy this as much as I."
He raised an eyebrow at the man and pulled his lips ever so slightly upwards. "I told you, I can understand why this location would appeal to you. The peace here is certainly rewarding, the scenery as well…I can see how one could lose track of time here rather easily if they weren't careful."
Turning his eyes to the distance, he watched the horizon before he continued onwards. "Even until the sun started to set in the sky, that must be a spectacular view, given the clearness of it all."
A chuckle from the front, Jedidah closed his eyes once more. "You would be quite right as well, they are always a sight to see and each one…Hmmm. I suppose you would be curious why I come out here to witness each one in person, hmmm?"
"Not at all." Replying to the question, he shook his head. "Even with the gift you have been granted, I can understand whole heartedly why you would come to witness the natural beauty of the world in person, rather than relying upon an image in your mind. No matter how potent it might be."
"...Well, I shall concede to that point, you are correct." Jedidah admitted with a faint inclination. "This and many other spots, but I do not doubt that others would remain as shocked. Perhaps because of my eyes, I need only be here once and then I could return as many times as I need as if I never left at all."
Releasing a breath, Jedidiah opened his eyes once more, then leaned forwards and clasped his hands together, resting them over his knees. "But as you said, there is something more when you visit the world in person, walk amongst the people, something that you cannot gain when you are merely watching from afar…a sense of grounding. I can feel the wind of my skin, hear the chatter of people and breathe in the air...It is something I could only do in that one moment and each breath…each one is different from the last."
He watched the man speak, then nodded his head along with their words.
Jedidiah made it sound so appealing, indeed it was.
"To become one with the world, to exist in every moment. Perhaps there is more to be found in that. To live in the now, as they say."
"Hmmmm." With a hum, the tanned man voiced his own agreement as he unclasped his hands and reached into his coat pocket, then proceeded to withdraw a small silver rectangle, a smaller circle imprinted on the front with a black cutout in the centre, with a small click of a button, the circle extended out of the silver box.
"But there is no sense in limiting myself to the memories of the time alone, and physical evidence of my being here is hardly something to turn my nose away from."
Raising his brows ever so slightly, he watched Jedidiah aim the silver box across the distance and click something atop it once again. The process repeated twice more before he lowered it and turned toward him, then made a small noise of understanding, a touch of shame in his eyes.
"I see, I do not believe I explained that to you yet, did I?"
"Another wonder of the modern age, I should think."
"Portraits of the landscape taken in a split second."
The words bounced around in his head for several seconds, he felt his eyes widen and his brows creep up his forehead at the implication. Then glanced towards the tiny little silver box that would have fit in the palm of his hands and the mere seconds it took for Jedidiah to do whatever it was he had done.
"...A wonder indeed." Came the small mutter, he leaned forwards and squinted at the object for a few moments, then blinked as it was extended towards him, switching his eyes from the box and then to the owner several times. "I'm not sure that I should-"
"Come now, you are curious, it would be wrong of me not to indulge that." The encouragement came before he could even finish his sentence, his jaw rolled from side to side before he leaned forwards and gently took it between his hands, looking it over for a few moments before he flipped it to the other view.
He blinked and leaned backwards as he found himself staring at the floor of the boat and his own feet as well, yet there were scribbles upon the air, as if carved into the image itself.
"...Rather interesting scrying magic-"
"Technology, not magic."
He looked up at the gentle correction, then let out a breath between his teeth as he stared down at the device once more, pulling it up and watching the scenery on the box change with his view, in whichever way it faced, so too did it mimic the world it was seeing. As though he was gazing through the eyes of the box itself.
"...Incredible." The praise was breathed out of him. "To think that such a thing could exist without magic…though I suppose it has been many, many years since I walked the earth, but to think that such a thing could exist at all…I can scarcely believe it."
"They're called cameras." Jedidiah explained, drawing his eyes to them. "A long and stories life to their development as well. Nearly two hundred years worth of history and how people have built upon the designs. From something that was a luxury until they became something that is common in nearly every household, or at least heard of."
This was common in every household?
…It was…
"...The world has changed."
Jedidiah hummed in agreement, then leaned forwards and retrieved the 'camera' without an ounce of resistance, touching away at it for a few seconds before he smiled and flipped it back around.
Leaning towards the screen, he stared at the frozen image of the landscape, captured on the small device as if it had been stolen from the world itself. He shot a look to where it had been pointed and then back to the device, repeating it several times before he fell back, dropping his arms to his knees and blinking repeatedly.
"...That…I…I can scarcely find the words for that. To capture such natural beauty in the span of a single second? To freeze moments of time…"
"Of all the inventions people have made, I believe that this is one of my favourites." Jedidiah replied, holding up the camera and smiling at it. "Because it means that someone was there. In every image you see taken, in every frozen moment of time, you can understand that there was someone behind that view who was there in that one moment to capture that single second of beauty…and then they have the ability to share that experience with others."
All he could do was mutely nod his head up and down, still entranced by the very prospect of it.
"I have a small collection back at the base." Jedidiah admitted, lowering the camera back down and staring at it, his jaw rolled from side to side as he hummed. "Years and years of photos from different sunsets to different moments. One would accuse me of cheating from time to time, using my sight to be there at the perfect moment…but perhaps it is because of my sight that I have that duty to capture those moments to share with others."
Adjusting himself on the boat, he wet his lips and watched Jedidiah for a short moment before he spoke. "I would very much like to see those 'photos', if that would not be too much trouble. From the sounds of things…a collection of that scale would be…I can scarcely imagine that many paintings, but to see all of those sights from the eyes of those who were there."
Moving a hand up, he pressed his palm flat against his brow and exhaled.
It was so very daunting and yet so very exciting as well.
"I am certain that could be arranged." Came the casual response from Jedidiah, the man rested the camera on his lap and then cast his eyes towards the distance for a brief moment. It was only as he raised his brows that he noticed something strange about the behaviour of the tanned man.
The way he was acting and the way he was looking in a specific location, it was almost as though he was waiting for something-
A squeal hit his ears a second later, the shout of a woman that sounded almost to be in distress.
His head snapped up and whipped to the side, bolting to his feet and rocking the boat as he did so, but that hardly mattered to him as his gaze swept across the surface of the water, spotting a boat not too far from them and then pausing as he actually got a chance to glimpse at what was happening.
It was a brunette woman, hands clasped in front of her mouth and muffling the remainder of the cry that would have otherwise leaked out from her lips.
His eyes darted to the man who was sitting opposite her, held in his hands was a small box and with his eyesight he could see the small gleam of the tiny golden ring in the velvet interior, the faint twinkle of light through the pale white gem sitting atop the ring.
The alarm faded from his eyes, then he slowly turned his gaze down towards Jedidiah and raised a brow towards him. His posture loosened up as he was met with the casual and rather knowing stare of the tanned man. Slowly he lowered himself back into his seat and then folded his arms over his chest.
Dull eyes twinkled with veiled amusement.
"As I said. There is something more rewarding about being present for the events as they pass you by, even if you know that they are coming in advance."
The brow on his face remained raised, then he felt the small laugh bubble up inside of him as he turned his gaze back towards the couple. Suddenly her squeal had made a great deal more sense. It made his heart warm as he watched the two of them embrace one another, clearly intoxicated in the presence of their partner and soon to be spouse.
Leaning back, Jedidiah clasped the oars of the boat and started to turn it, shifting the direction of it and aiming the boat towards the direction of the couple, pushing it closer and closer with the clear intentions of speaking with them.
He could understand the intention.
He wanted to wish them well as well.
The couple noticed them approaching, he smiled and raised his hand to greet the pair of them.
"Congratulations on your matrimony." Inclining his head to the pair of them, he silently offered them a prayer for a good marriage, then brought his head back up and turned to the side. Honestly, he would have left it at that, had it not been for the fact that Jedidiah then raised the camera in his hands and glanced to the pair of them.
"Would it be forwards if I offered to take a photo of you?" He then pointed further away. "There was a small shop where the photos could be printed for you. Though I would understand a refusal."
Though no one else could see it, he noticed the quiet confidence in the eyes of the man.
The man and woman blinked, stared at one another, then the woman was the first to smile towards the tanned man before she let out a small breath and nodded her head up and down. "Please, that would be wonderful."
"If you're offering-" The man replied, though he sounded a touch unsure.
"It would hardly be right for me to avoid capturing such a majestic image." Came the casual response from Jedidiah.
That was apparently enough for the both of them.
He leaned back and waited for Jedidiah to capture the photo.
So he was understandably surprised when the camera was offered to him instead, his eyes dropped down to it and widened, his gaze snapped up towards the tanned man and stared at the expectant face. He opened his mouth for a refusal, then paused and shot a glance at the waiting couple before he exhaled.
With a resigned smile, he took the camera from the hands of Jedidiah and pointed it towards the couple, they started to smile and waited.
Though he had no idea what he was supposed to do.
'Wait until the image is focused and then press the button on the top right until you hear a click.'
The voice filtered through his mind.
He did as he was asked, then watched the screen blink before a smaller image hovered in the bottom left corner of the screen. He lowered the camera down and then turned to the tanned man and watched his expression.
Jedidiah was already moving to clasp the oars once more. "Let us return and gift your photos to you. Once again, congratulations…I can see some truly wonderful things in the future for the two of you. I wish you all the happiness that life can offer."
Coming from anyone else, it sounded like a compliment.
From him, it was a promise.
They watched the pair depart hand in hand, photo held in their grasp of them on the lake and smiling brilliantly.
They had even thanked him for it and accepted his blessings.
It was an experience he doubted he would ever forget.
Waving them farewell, his smile remained on his lips as he lowered his hand down and glanced to the right. His companion kept that thin smile on their face, likely all of this had gone according to their visions. He did not doubt it in the least that Jedidiah had picked that lake just because he knew it was going to happen.
"Why let me take the photo?"
It was the one thing he wanted to know.
Jedidiah glanced to him. "Because I wanted you to. I wished only to share the experience and the reward that comes with capturing a moment such as that. Even if I can forever return to it, not all have that power."
Nodding forwards, the man continued. "I could have done nothing and the result would have remained the same. Though in being there…I contributed. I aided that couple and granted them that single moment of time which will remain their happiest for as long as they live…and I wanted you to capture it. Knowing that you were present for that one moment."
He hummed in response to the answer, then turned his head back towards the retreating couple. "I see…there was something…rewarding about doing them such a good turn. It did fill me with a sense of accomplishment and…I must thank you for that. They claimed it was a very good photograph."
Jedidiah merely chuckled. "And it was your first ever. Perhaps you have a talent for such things."
His lip twitched upwards. "You would know better than I."
"Hmm, perhaps." Came the simple reply.
There was one thing that bothered him further.
"...What of you, do you feel better?"
Jedidiah was silent, then the golden eyes of the man turned towards him and watched without a hint of emotion.
"Why do you ask?"
He watched the man for a moment before he replied. "In my experience, a man does not seek out the beauty of nature and the joy of others unless he wishes to calm the turmoil in his own heart as well. Though I could be mistaken…yet I do not believe I am."
"...Hmph." A quiet grunt but not a dismissal.
"I will not pry into your troubles, but I will only ask if you feel well."
"...It has been a more soothing experience, but my troubles are not those that can be solved with a trip…even one that has been as rewarding as this." A reply accompanied with an exhale of breath, Jedidiah shook his head from side to side and closed his eyes. His arms dropped to his side and he lowered his gaze.
"My sight troubles me, that which I know will come to pass but cannot accept."
His lips drew thin at the grave words. "It is a difficult gift you have been blessed with. Sometimes we are shown things that we wish we could change but cannot…and we are forced to see that which we cannot abide come to pass. I know well how difficult it is to stomach unpleasant sights."
Jedidiah spared him a glance before he nodded. "I can understand that much, but I truly cannot accept that they would fall so far. It…I have seen it for months, I knew it would come to pass and could see it closing in and yet with each glance I found myself unable to accept they would sink so low."
"...I see." He could feel the sheer disappointment in the words of the man. No, it was bordering on disbelief as well.
Frowning to himself, he cast a sympathetic look towards the man. "Sometimes our paths can split. I knew many who walked a path that saddened me…and I expect they felt the same in turn. All we can do is accept our differences."
Jedidiah gave an empty snort.
"Your words would hold more sense if I spoke of humans. I have long since accepted that they walk their own path. One that does not always meet with the way of the Heavenly Father."
"The Lord granted commandments for how it was wished for us to live." He admitted. "But he provided us with free will to act as we wished. It is possible to stray from his teachings and still live a good life."
He got a grunt as a reply.
Jedidiah turned and started to walk away down the street.h He followed after them.
"I've known many humans who do not believe in the Heavenly Father, but still they remain just and moral. You are right."
He had the distinct feeling that this topic was not about humans, however, and with the growing sense of disappointment from his companion, he was left with the belief that this was something that was deeply troubling to them. For someone with the blessings of his summoner to be so distraught over what they beheld in the future, it was clear that it was something that could not be changed.
He stopped walking.
It was a few moments later when Jedidiah did the same, though his gaze remained fixed to the front.
"What have you seen?"
Jedidiah slowly brought his hands around to his back, clasping one hand over the wrist of the other and tightening his hold enough to crinkle the sleeve of his suit. It was mere seconds of silence that followed, but for the weight of the conversation, it might as well have been an eternity.
"...Heaven is going to give Ascalon to the current Red Dragon Emperor at the peace conference."
The news was something that…he wasn't quite sure how to react to.
His brows furrowed, he lowered his eyes to the ground and brought his arms up, folding them over his chest and nodding his head slowly. "...I see."
What else could he say to it?
Jedidiah turned around and narrowed his gaze. "I was expecting a stronger reaction."
"You had to have known you weren't going to get one."
A minute twitch, the tanned man glanced to the side as his frown deepened. "I knew but…I am curious to hear what your thoughts are regarding this."
"It is a sword."
It was all he could say.
"It was the sword that was wielded a long time ago, in another lifetime. It is no longer my concern what it done with it, nor do I truly believe that the Heavenly Host would be wicked enough to hand the blade over to one they did not believe was worthy of wielding it. That is…all that I can say in regards to what has happened."
"It is being handed to a Devil." The stress of the word was accompanied by a faint growl, but only for a single instant, then the voice of the tanned man turned quieter. More empty. "They had forming a peace with the Devils - the sworn enemies of the Heavenly Father - and those who turned their backs on him…had it been just the Grigori, it could have been barely stomached…but this?"
He shook his head. "Having been informed of the topic, I know that the Devils of today are different from how they were-"
"Why do you assume that? Because they are no longer as bloodthirsty?" A scoff, but it was not one aimed at insulting him. All the same, it cut him short as Jedidiah brought a hand about and waved it dismissively. "Do you think that they have abandoned their core beliefs and changed? No. Devils are what Devils will always be. They have merely been forced to adapt to a more cautious approach as a result of their low numbers."
Golden eyes narrowed. "That is all this peace is born of. Had their race not been massacred during the Great War and their subsequent civil disputes, then they would not have changed in the least."
It was not today when he woke up that he thought he would be arguing regarding the nature of Devils of all things. But he felt the need to offer a balanced argument, especially for how personal the man seemed to be taking this.
"The same could be said for people. The horrors of war tend to change those who suffer from it. They strive to better themselves-"
"They are not bettering themselves." A click of the tongue. "It is perceived as such because they are no longer as open in regard to their intentions, but their motivations remain the same. They are prideful, arrogant and above all, opportunistic. Their developments have matched humanity in the last six hundred years because they have wormed their way into the societies of man."
"Then does that not speak of the quality of man that Devils seek to reflect their achievements?"
Jedidiah looked at him for a short moment, then sighed and turned away. "You know it is not regarding that."
"...I felt the point needed to be made regardless." He admitted, bringing up his hand and waving it down. "But this is not about what Devils are or what they will be. I am hardly willing to forget what they have done and I certainly do not doubt they continue to act in pursuit of power in ways I would find abhorrent…This is about Ascalon, is it not?"
A slow nod of the head. "It does not deserve to be handed out in such a crude manner. Certainly not to…Devils."
"Jedidiah-"
"It is an open sanction on the actions of the Devils." He was stopped before he could speak further, the tanned man sharply turned his head and looked across their surroundings, not that anyone seemed to take notice of their argument as the streets continued on, ignorant to the two of them.
"That does not mean the new wielder would do evil-"
"But it does not mean they would do good." Jedidiah replied just as quickly, his voice turning more even and less emotional. "That sword will be wielded in the interests of Devils. It was a blade meant to protect humanity from evil - the blade you used to protect humanity from evil - and it will now be used for the purpose of power. For greed, for pride and for a show of force. Whether it is used for or against humanity means nothing. It will only serve the interests of Devils now."
He took in a short breath and lowered his eyes as he thought of the words, he nodded up and down. "You are right…but it is just a blade. They can be replaced…but you are correct, the message of the blade cannot. Though it was surprising to hear just how famous it had become…No. It is not something I would have personally done, regardless of how moral the Devil was."
He quickly raised a hand. "But that is not to say I would become vexed towards it. Troubled, yes. Confused, certainly. Angry? No…It is not something that I would have personally done."
"...Had they handed it to a human, I would not have been as vexed."
"That is prejudice talking-"
"It is sanity talking." Jedidiah replied with a sharp tone of voice. "The weapon is just as much a symbol now. It is where the line is drawn…the precedent is set. How long before the standard of Saint Jeanne is hoisted above the legions of Grigori? Or when a Yokai rides into battle with Galatine drawn?"
Jedidiah raised a hand and clenched his fist, "These are the symbols of humanities achievements. You would never demand for a God to hand over their authority to another, or for an Angel to strip the wings from their body and toss them aside…so why then is it acceptable to do this? To treat the weapons and symbols in this way."
"You are right to be concerned, but you are talking now out of anger." He stepped towards Jedidiah, reaching out and placing a hand on the shoulder of the man, centering them to the world and frowning. "This is just as much a chance for change as any other…but I admit that I am not so focused on what has been done. I cannot condone the reincarnation of humans into Devils."
"...The Angels are doing the same."
His face blanked.
Jedidiah looked him in the eye. "It is something they shall reveal at the conference. They have already prepared several members, they have been working alongside the ranks of the Devils in secret to formulate what they call the 'Brave Saints'."
"...They are turning humans to angels?"
"An act which has been done sparingly and only when the Heavenly Father still drew breath." Jedidiah gave a sharp intake, then turned his head and stepped away from him. "Because it is a temptation. Self-serving temptation. How many humans - how many of the faithful - would reject the chance to become an Angel? How many would turn down such an offer? Some would but we both know others would not."
He could see the temptation immediately, but what he could not see was the problem of it. No, he knew what the problem with it was. But he wanted to know what Jedidiah thought of it. "Why does this trouble you so deeply?"
"...It is taking advantage of their faith." He replied, "It was a choice the Heavenly Father rarely made…It is not the place of the Heavenly Host to decide who is or is not made into an Angel. It was never their role, nor should they take it upon themselves to do so. It is…It is playing at God."
Closing his eyes, he took in a breath and leaned back. "...It is. Though the Angels are in a difficult position-"
"And this justifies a corruption of principles? This allows them to walk the path of the Devils and pluck the humans of the earth to serve as their soldiers? To march as an angel when it was never in their destiny. The very act of Reincarnation is…it is blasphemy. Such is the domain of the Heavenly Father and he did not wield that power as a blunt instrument to solve problems."
"You are becoming angry."
"...Yes."
"You are entitled to your anger, but do not let it command you." He warned, drawing the eyes of Jedidiah back to himself. "The world is different from how I recall it, certainly, but do not let yourself be drawn into such changes with anger as your fuel. In doing so, you shall only cause more hate…There is reason in your words and I do admit that - pains me as it is - I cannot truly stomach the idea of the Angels taking it upon themselves to reincarnate humans, much as I might understand their plight."
Jedidiah closed his eyes and lowered his head. "You are much too forgiving of them."
"I would argue that you are much too bitter." He pointed out, though not rudely. "You can disagree with what they have done, but if you only act out of anger, then it is from personal belief, not from a greater role…But that is only my opinion on the matter, I do not claim to have great wisdom."
"...You are wise enough, Georgios."
Georgios offered a faint smile. "If you say so. Though it begs the question of what will happen now? You have told me of this future that is to pass, but I am left with the belief you will not allow it to happen so idly…I only ask you do not act recklessly when the time comes."
Jedidiah remained tellingly silent. "That, Georgios, is something that I cannot promise."
"I see." He was sad to hear of that, but he was not surprised. His summoner was a passionate individual. He could tell their heart was in the right place, at least, but perhaps it was experience that had slowly turned them to this burning anger. A righteous fury if ever there was one.
But he would hold faith that Jedidiah meant well.
"...There is something I would ask."
"Hmm?"
"When is the conference?"
Jedidiah glanced at him, Georgios did not doubt that the man knew it would come to this as well.
"...You are going to speak with the Red Dragon Emperor."
"I am."
"...Very well."
Only a week away.
In the millennium that he had lived, the centuries that had blinked past him, it would have been impossible for him to even consider that a week could be considered a long time.
Yet the week that was standing before him, that was gradually ticking closer, it felt as though it would last an eternity. For the first time since…that awful day, it felt as though the throes of time were truly sinking their grasp onto his body.
He leaned forwards, pressing his elbows down on the table and bringing his hands up to lean upon. Tenting them together and resting his knuckles just underneath his nose, staring down the length of them and towards the table in front of him.
Who could have thought that vying for peace could be more stressful than war?
"They will not stomach it."
He announced, mostly to himself, but he was not the only one within earshot of the small room, it was really just that.
A small little cabin sitting on an illustrious hill in a land where the sun would never set, where the light above was neither too bright nor too dim. Where the breeze was neither too strong nor too weak. It was perfect, one of the few places that had remained - thankfully - undamaged during the many centuries that had passed.
Michael was grateful he had been able to keep it intact.
The other person in the room shifted, turning her head towards him as concern bled into her eyes. "Brother-"
"They won't." He repeated, a bit louder this time. "You and I both know it. We're already asking them to stomach the idea of setting aside years of violence…Uriel made it clear what he felt about the idea of handing over the sword to them."
"Uriel is…" Gabriel stopped for a moment, but she did not need to say anything.
Uriel was passionate but he was also correct.
Bringing peace did not mean handing out weapons and he was still sceptical.
"Uriel is not against peace." Gabriel continued on once more, moving across to the window of the cabin and gazing out across the landscape. A gentle sigh escaped her, she turned a comforting smile on him. "We both know he sees the value of it, but he was never comfortable around the idea of weapons being gifted entirely."
Michael understood that, logically he did. "I do not believe it is a mistake."
Gabriel nodded her head. "Then that is all there needs to be said about it."
"But I am not infallible." He continued on, the smile dimmed on the face of his sister. He did not so much see it as he did feel it. She had the way of just changing the aura of a room entirely dependent on her emotions. Whether she was happy or sad, everyone would know about it. "I cannot say whether this will work for good or better…I want to make a display of it. To show them that we mean well. It is hardly as though Ascalon is the greatest weapon in our arsenal."
"I know, brother." She had closed the gap between them, moving a hand and resting it on his shoulder. His own instinctively moved to cover hers, holding onto it as though it was a lifeline. "And I can see it as well. Uriel can. We all agreed to the conference of our own accord, you did not force us into this."
He knew that.
But all the same, it did not stop his thoughts from being plagued with doubts.
"...Another weapon, perhaps…" He muttered to himself, but he paused when he heard Gabriel let out a sigh.
"The preparations have already been completed. Ascalon can be held in the hand of both Devil and Dragon now without worry."
She moved around, sitting herself in front of him and gripping both his hands, pulling them down to the table and looking him in the eyes. Bright orbs pierced through his own and demanded his attention.
"You have made this possible. It is something that you have worked tirelessly for, brother. Believe that it will work. You are right, you aren't perfect but that is not the point. What you are doing is for the good of everyone. Handing over Ascalon to the Devils shows our commitment to peace."
Michael felt his lips pull into a tired smile.
"I know."
He did know that.
But that did not stop the doubts, especially because he knew how it would look.
"But not everyone will focus on that…they will instead see Heaven making peace with the Devils and handing over the weapon of a Saint. Those who truly know…I am not expecting to earn myself many friends with this move. And so many have lost so much at the hands of Devils…asking them to forgive now."
"Was it not the way to turn the other cheek?"
"Forgiveness is not easy." Michael replied, but he didn't need to. They both knew that there would doubtless be many who could not so easily cast aside the actions of the Devils. Even now, he would never confess himself to be wholly past the actions of the Great War…but it was something that none could afford to happen again.
"No, it is not." Gabriel agreed. "But neither is violence. Those who protest must be made aware that we cannot afford nor can we condone that level of violence in the world ever again. It cost us so much last time and the next time…"
She trailed off, her eyes lowered down and closed.
Michael grimaced and reached out, then placed his hand atop her head, looping his fingers through her golden locks and giving her a small pat. He removed his hand and glanced away to the side, frowning to himself and closing his eyes. "But it is not just about what we stand to lose. Yet…I cannot help but feel as though I am dragging all others behind with me."
"That is not true, brother. We all-"
"You do, yes." He held up a hand. "But those without the knowledge? Those who merely follow the words of their superiors? Centuries of battle, thousands of crushed hearts and millions of lives…can I truly put an end to that simply because we're all tired of fighting? What if this peace does not last? What if-"
"Brother."
He stopped at her commanding voice.
"You cannot know the future…but you are doing the best that you are able to." She remarked, then leaned forwards. "You have done a good job, brother. You have kept us from collapsing these last half dozen centuries, without your leadership…You have earned our trust. If you say this is the best path, then it is the best path and we would all follow you."
How he wished he could have her confidence.
Externally, he smiled warmly at her. "Your words are a privilege that I do not deserve, but I will accept them all the same. Thank you, sister…I will make ready the preparations for what needs to be done…but I am more concerned with other factors."
He grimaced visibly.
It took Gabriel a moment to catch on, when she did it was clear she shared his worries.
"Narbeck."
There was no chance she would follow him down this path.
Like the Daemons who served the Heavenly Father, there would never come a time where she saw the world without violence towards Devils. Until they were eradicated, she would ensure that the fighting never ended.
It was for that reason he had ensured the Burial Agency never found out about the death of the Heavenly Father.
They would become creatures of wrath and slaughter.
If there was one thing that he was worried about, it was how she would deal with the newfound peace between the three factions.
Because he doubted she could tolerate it in the least…but he did not want to consider the alternative that would come if she posed a threat to peace.
"...Do you suppose there is a chance, brother?" Gabriel broke the tense silence with a hint of unease, she shuffled forwards and looked at him with no small amount of worry.
It was telling that she was not confident.
He so desperately wanted to tell her that there was a chance Narbeck would be convinced. That she and the other members of the Burial Agency would be able to limit themselves to only those who fought against peace.
…But that would have been a lie.
And he could not lie.
"...I am not sure." Michael replied after a moment of silence, turning his gaze and staring into the distance through the window. "I truly do not know, Sister…but I fear for the worst. There has never been any doubt in my mind of how Narbeck would respond as the day for peace drew closer and closer…but even through her bitter hatred, I do earnestly believe she was fighting for a better future."
He brought up his hand and pressed a finger against the table. "This is that future she was fighting for. Though if she cannot find a place in her heart for that future, if she cannot exist without spreading death to those she claims are her enemies…"
He trailed off, then glanced to the side.
People had been excommunicated for lesser crimes for the sake of the faith.
But this…
…This could shatter the Church in half.
They had barely been able to claw back peace after the death of the Heavenly Father when the Daemons pushed for the war to continue. At the moment, they would likely need to enlist the aid of the other factions to maintain stability. Accepting his old brothers and sisters back into the fold was difficult but easier to stomach.
…Accepting Devils?
That was…different.
Closing his eyes, Michael leaned back and felt as though the years were crashing down on his shoulders.
"What horrible irony." He found himself muttering. "All of this to stop the coming of the Great War and all it would cost is the stability of the Church…we end a greater war to throw ourselves headfirst into a civil one."
"Brother."
His eyes opened and slid towards Gabriel, she looked to him with an expression that was on the verge of chastisement.
A wry chuckle escaped his lips. "You cannot say I am wrong, Sister. We both know it. Even if - by some act of good fortune - we are not flung into a state of chaos by the decree, I do not doubt that many will become…troubled. They are reliant on the wisdom of the Heavenly Father and he is…no longer there to guide them."
Standing up, he rose from the seat and brought his hands behind his back, pacing away from the table and towards the fireplace. Bringing forth his right hand and laying it flat against the wall, leaning into it and dropping his gaze into the flames.
"I believe this truly is the right path forward…I can only hope that we all live long enough to see it bear fruit."
He stared into the fire for a few moments, then felt a hand rest on his back.
"We will." Gabriel assured him. "We're all behind you, brother. I'll say it as many times as I need to until you believe me. We're with you."
Michael closed his eyes.
Allowing himself to fall into the moment.
It was a short respite of peace that could have lasted an eternity and he would have never complained about it.
There was a knock.
The sound echoed around the cabin and within his ears, Michael's eyes opened up and slowly he turned his head about and over his shoulder, staring at the other side of the room and towards the door.
Silence ticked by, then again.
Three knocks.
Pushing himself away from the fire, he stepped around and turned towards the door fully, furrowing his brows a little and feeling a slight hint of tension within himself. He had asked not to be disturbed unless it was of the gravest importance, for someone to come here now could only mean one thing.
That something had happened.
He opened his mouth to call out, only to stop as Gabriel moved the hand to his shoulder.
"I can attend to this matter, brother." She assured him as she stepped around him, turning to face the door. "You have long since earned your seventh day of rest, given you have spent all of them without respite since you assumed the mantle. I can support you in this small way, if only for a short time."
Gabriel meant well, he truly knew she did.
But if there was one thing he had learned, it was that there was never a moment in which he could have true peace. At least not until the work was done.
"I could never find myself resting easy if I knew there was something amiss in creation." He replied with a shake of the head. Giving his sister an apologetic smile. "But I truly appreciate your concern, for that, if it pleases you, I can delegate some of the responsibility to you for whatever this is."
Gabriel pouted, her arms came up and she folded them, looking at him with clear disapproval. "Brother…"
Oh dear, he knew that tone of voice.
Three knocks on the door once more.
"Enter!"
He hastily called out before his sister could start lecturing him.
Whatever it was, he very much suspected it was more preferable to his sister's ire.
The moment he turned to the door, he froze like a statue.
He felt Gabriel stiffen in the second that she turned to the door.
They loomed like a shadow, passing through the entrance without an ounce of noise.
Warmth fled the room, leaving only an unpleasant chill.
A cloak like black oil, a hood which swallowed all light, and silent bells of old bronze, each one clattered without noise. Never once making a single utterance or a whisper as their owner moved into the room. Held in the right hand was the largest of all, yet even in that size it held not an ounce of bark to it.
The great bell stayed silent, as it always had done until the time was nigh.
Twelves wings of pristine white spread out the moment the figure passed through the door, a silent breath escaped the pair of them as they stared at the impossible sight.
The hood turned, shifting focus between the two of them then finally landing upon himself.
Michael felt as though every fibre of his being was being examined and judged.
It felt like an eternity had passed by before the whisper of a voice echoed from beyond the veil of blackness that was the face of the arrival.
"Thy health hath waned since I last set eyes upon thou, brother."
A gentle voice, but without warmth.
So silent that it could have been lost in the winds, but so powerful that even the strongest sounds could not eclipse it.
"Forsooth, the mantle rests upon thy shoulders like the guillotine above the damned."
Michael stepped forwards, feeling his words catch in his throat.
It had been centuries.
So very long since he last set eyes upon them, so very long since any heard word of him.
Not since the death of…
…They had not seen him leave the Seventh Heaven since that time.
"Is it…" Michael found his words, it could be no one else, the presence belonged to none other. But he had to be certain. "Is it truly you…brother?"
"Thy eyes say to thou no lies, nor doth thy ears mock thou. I am hither, brother, as surely as the travelling lamp sets and darkness claims the heavens."
"...Azrael." Gabriel breathed out, stepping past him as a smile threatened to bloom on her face.
It was a threat that came true, it looked as though his younger sister would throw herself at their brother without warning.
Azrael turned his attention towards their sister and inclined his head ever so slightly.
"Sister. Thy radiance is as the heavens. Unchanged beauty bears thou close, in thy heart and upon thy skin."
Michael almost laughed at that, even after all these years, Azrael still could not resist the temptation to show off his mastery of compliments.
"Brother…" The attention of the Angel returned to him. "Forgive me for asking but…why now? Why now after all these years would you…?"
Azrael straightened. "I course only the Will of Heaven. In that Will, I have known whispers of change. Of an end to sore rivalries and the joining of hands."
Michael blinked, then straightened himself at the words of his brother. "You have heard of our efforts to bring peace between the three factions."
A silent nod was his response, the Angel stepped further into the cabin and brought his wings down and folded them tight to his body. The black cloak billowed in the winds that did not exist.
The silence brought a hint of unease to him. "...What do you think of it, Brother? Your honest thoughts, please."
Azrael stared.
And stared.
Then, at last, he spoke. "Thou needth not mine words to convince thou this is a resolve that shall forge new enemies from old allies. From the birth of this endeavour, thou knew this. Mine words would doth nought to change thy mind from the path thou intend to tread."
Michael felt himself frown, nodding his head up and down. "I know, but all the same, brother, I wish to know whether I have disappointed you or not."
"A ruler of Heaven should'st care not whether they bring disappointment. They act with wit that is without question."
He suppressed a snort at the remark.
"Perhaps a true ruler of Heaven-" The words barely left his lips before he was cut short by his sister.
"Brother." Gabriel chided him with a rather harsh whisper. "I refuse to allow you to slander yourself further, and Azrael…please, do not encourage Michael's own burdens. Answer his question clearly, if you would be so kind."
Silence came, then just as quickly was broken.
"I hast always answered to the Will of Heaven. Mine resolve remains unbroken, even now."
The hood inclined ever so slightly towards him.
"If this be thy command, brother, then I shall be behind thou. Till it is born, I shall remain yet a silent observer to thy acts and offer no complaints."
Michael felt as though it had been a weight removed from his shoulders, his eyes closed as the only visible display of his relief. Taking in a short and sharp breath before it was followed by a brief exhale. His eyes opened as he stepped forwards and brought a hand up, resting it upon the shoulder of Azrael.
"...I cannot tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that, brother."
"Thy relief shall be short lived." Azrael remarked with a slow shake of the head. "I would offer no complaints, that doth not mean they forbear to exist."
Michael felt the relief fade away, just as his brother promised. "You have doubts then?"
"Such doubts are natural. What thou profess is to break bread with the killers of the Heavenly Father-"
"The ones responsible have been dead for centuries." He argued back evenly. "We cannot blame an entire race for the actions of a few taken during a war. Lest we forget the legions that were slaughtered at the hands of the Daemons…We both recall the night of orphans."
"Thy arguments are sound." Azrael agreed. "Yet the hearts of those whom fought are still plagued with nightmares. Even those born after the passing, they hath suffered much. Death is not so easily forgotten."
Michael frowned, but it was Gabriel who spoke up.
"Brother, you do not mean to suggest-"
"I am no advocate for war, yet consider the cost of peace. It might remain much too high to be paid."
Holding up his hand, he silenced Gabriel before she could bring forth more arguments. "You are correct brother. I fear that such a peace will be costly indeed and it is a thought which ills me, even now. Though as you say, I cannot abandon the hope that this path will lead to a better tomorrow. You have sworn to stand beside me…what else would you wish?"
Azrael seemed to watch him for a moment, as if coming to terms with a difficult puzzle.
"Grant me passage to attend this gathering. I would only to watch and take deed as the Will of Heaven demands. Nought moe and nought less."
Those were acceptable terms.
"Very well, if it shall put your mind to rest brother, then I shall take you with me to the conference. I doubt there shall be much complaint about your presence there, given the fact that two of the four Satans are to attend…"
Azrael remained silent, then a low hum escaped them, the Angel turned away from him and made for the door once more.
Michael wet his lips and stepped forwards "Brother."
Azrael stopped.
"...I truly mean it." He felt the words rush out of him. "I know that you were…The loss of the Heavenly Father affected all of us, but I want you to know that I have not forgotten. I will make sure that Heaven endures in his absence."
Azrael slowly turned and faced him.
"Take care with thy words, brother. For they ring eerily most like the remarks of the Morningstar."
Michael stiffened, then felt himself grimace as he turned his eyes away.
Gabriel let out a soft gasp. "Brother, that is uncalled for-"
"I speak only as warning. Or doth thou not recall how our fallen brother once claimed to try right by the heavenly father?"
"Even still-"
"Sister…" Michael stopped her once more. "He speaks truly, indeed…I know those words well and was there when they were used in the past. I cannot claim to be better or worse than our fallen brother for this…but all the same. I truly believe that this is the right path. I will say it as many times as I need to."
He took in a breath. "I believe, with all my being, that the path to peace is found in the arms of our old foes."
"I hark thy words and accept them as testimony. They shall be nails by which this coffin is shut. For the heaven that exists now perishes and a new one shall take its place."
Michael nodded his head. "Then may we all pray that this is a Heaven that is just as beautiful as the old one."
Azrael offered no words, merely silence as he passed from the cabin and shut the door behind him.
Silence reigned in his absence.
Then Michael turned towards Gabriel, bringing up his hand and rubbing it along his neck. "I have truly missed his cutting remarks."
His sister was equally silent, then her lips pulled up. "I would not know, he has never once landed a single blow upon me with them."
"If I could envy you sister, I would."