It was the song! The Song of God. Sung by choirs of angels in sublime harmony. It rolled over me and buoyed me in an ocean of peace.
All who heard it froze for the briefest instant. Some felt bliss in that moment, joy overflowing. Others felt a longing, deep and forlorn, and a need to return home to Spirit. Still others were paralyzed with regret and fear. Such was the Holy power of it.
The song sent my spirit to heights I had thought forever beyond my reach. Tears trickled down my cheeks. I was not alone. Requel’s eyes pooled.
“It is so beautiful,” she whispered.
I turned my head and stared upwards. The fallen legions recoiled from the blinding light high above like a mist retreats before the morning sun.
The song rose in beatific hymns. Harps strummed. Trumpets blared. Drums beat. Voices carried. It rolled over me like a wave.
Born from the ocean of light emerged the hosts of God.
A more glorious sight I had never seen.
Michael rode at the fore. Even from this distance, it could be no other. Larger than life he blazed with Spirit. He rode bareback upon a galloping horse of purest white, his wings extended at his sides and beating mightily. In one hand he brandished his famous shield, one of the Four Towers, and it glowed incandescent like a full moon. In his other he carried a sword of flame, raised skyward, a beacon of light against the darkness.
Gabriel came next, horn in hand, astride his chariot pulled by four charging horses. He surged like a comet across the heavens. Raphael flew at his side, gliding on gilded wings, spear raised and glowing. Uriel, girded for war in resplendent silver armor, carried a shield of the Four Towers before him. The others followed, Raguel in a chariot of fire to match his holy zeal; Zerachiel, armed with only a harp, her voice leading the Divine Song; Ramiel, armored in glistening bronze and bow in hand, a long plume of white trailing from her bronze helmet down the length of her body.
Behind them emerged the holy Seraphim, the magnificent Thrones, the mighty Cherubim, the serene Virtues, and the indomitable Guardian class. They filled the night like a galaxy of stars, endless and radiant. And still they came as if H eaven itself emptied.
My heart soared. Blessed was I to witness such divine majesty.
Any fallen remaining in the city rose and took to the air. Their infinite number swarmed and roiled, taking up one half of the sky, vast and dark like towering thunderheads. The angelic hosts took up the other half of the sky, light pouring from them in iridescent waves. The two armies faced each other, like two halves of the moon, one light the other dark.
Neither side attacked. Not yet. It was as if they knew, once this mighty and final battle begun, the very spheres would break.
“You did it, Sariel,” whispered Requel. “You brought them here.”
“Not I, my love. It was God. It was always God.”
* * *
“Here now, there’s no time to be taking a rest,” an all too familiar voice rumbled as it neared me. Gabriel.
Laughter bubbled from my lips. How I missed him! I never thought I would hear his voice again. I grinned until my cheeks ached. “It appears I had little else to do, brother. Being skewered gives me few options.”
“Then it’s a good thing I happened along when I did.”
Spiritual power flooded into me. The spear impaling me and Requel dissolved into nothing. Any aches and pains vanished. Wounds knitted, my torn wings healed. I had not felt this fresh in ages, but my mind was not on me. I rose into a kneeling position and checked on Requel. Her wounds were healed as well. She smiled at me. I pulled her into my arms and held her tight. She quietly wept into my shoulder. After a long moment, I let her go.
“My turn,” said Gabriel. A hand spun me around and Gabriel wrapped his huge arms around me, hugging me tight. “Never again, little brother,” he whispered in my ear, his voice thick with emotion. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
In that moment, I felt as if I had come home to the Causal. “I promise. I’m sorry, Gabriel. Truly. I never intended—”
“Whist,” he said, cutting me off, clearing his throat and stepping back, still smiling warmly. “You’re all right now and that’s all that matters.”
Behind him stood Michael, Raphael, and Uriel. Grinning, they rushed forward. Michael swept me into his arms and squeezed me, laughing. Uriel clapped me on the shoulder. Raphael, usually stoic, chuckled and shook his head.
I held them all in my loving gaze, etching them into my memory forever. I hadn’t realized how much they meant to me until that moment. I would do anything for them. Anything. They were my family.
And I had failed them.
Chagrined, I bowed my head. “Michael, I failed you. I failed you all.”
He stood so tall, so imposing. I felt as a child next to him, fearing his bitter disappointment. He wore no armor, unlike Gabriel or myself, nor did he need to. Such was the power of Spirit emanating from him, what could harm him? Only a simple, sleeveless tunic clothed him, white and edged in gold, and hanging to his thighs. It was belted at his waist with a simple silver sash. Sandals adorned his feet. A circlet of silver held his golden hair back. His sword was sheathed, the shield of the Four Towers strapped to his back
He shook his head. “Nonsense,” he said at last. “You did what you felt was right, Sariel. Who are we to judge?”
“But if I had done as you bade, and returned to you in the Causal—”
“Then who knows what would have happened,” cut in Gabriel.
Uriel shrugged. “As it is, I think you did rather well. You managed to gather them all up in one place. No small feat, I would imagine. Makes it easier for us to end this once and for all.”
I shook my head in disbelief. How could they forgive me so easily? After all I had done?
But that is who they were. That is why they were the best of us. Better than I could ever be. I exhaled and nodded.
“Not bad at all,” said Raphael, still grinning. “Except for the fallen Seraphim body bits you imported into the Holy City. That was especially interesting. Michael was there gathering the Seraphim at the time.”
“Falling body parts were most … unexpected,” said Michael. “I can only imagine the circumstances behind that one.”
“But how did you know to come here?” asked Requel standing beside me.
“Ah, my dear Requel, come here,” said Gabriel, sweeping her up. “You don’t think you can escape my embrace so easily, do you?”
“You oaf, I missed you,” laughed Requel, planting a kiss on his cheek. “But you did not answer my question.”
“God commanded me,” said Michael. “He told me to gather His hosts and save the child.”
My legs went weak. Requel threw her arms around Michael. “Thank you,” she sobbed.
Yes, thank you Lord, I prayed silently. I wept more tears.
“He also told me to come to your aid, Sariel,” said Michael.
I fell to my knees, my head bowed. I wasn’t worthy. I felt an overwhelming love for my Father I had not felt since being in His presence.
Michael pulled me to my feet, his eyes kind and understanding. “Come, little brother. There is still work yet to be done.”
“Who is your friend?” asked Gabriel.
Dirael, whole and healed, stood to the side and stared in awe at the group of Archangels, his mouth open.
Gently, I pulled him forward. “This is Dirael. A more courageous soul you’ll not find anywhere.”
“Then you’ll have to fight by me, lad, with my Thrones,” said Gabriel. “I insist.”
“I would be honored, my Lord.”
“Bah, none of this ‘Lord’ nonsense. Call me Gabriel.”
“It looks as if you’ve misplaced your shield, Sariel,” said Raphael, stepping forward. “Here, take mine. I find I don’t use it all that well as it is.”
He held a shield of the Four Towers before me. I stared in amazement. It was the shield of Sammael when he was one of the Four. My gaze swept over Michael, Gab
riel, and Uriel, the other three bearers of the Four Towers.
“Take it, brother,” said Michael. “Join us. There is a reckoning that needs settling.”
With trembling hands, I accepted the shield. It was round and stood as tall as my waist. Perfectly balanced, it was edged with gold. A single emblem of a Tower, blue on a field of white, blazed across the front.
The Four Towers were symbolic of God’s four divine canons: Spirit, Will, Might, and Hope. The four shields were divinely manifested symbols by God meant to encourage one to harness these four spiritual foundations and bring them to bear as one. How appropriate that they were manifestations as shields, as opposed to a weapon of any kind. There was no greater protection of heart, mind, and body than Spirit. When the four were united as one, they formed a strength of Spirit unequalled. When Michael, Uriel, Sammael, and Gabriel had used The Four Towers in unity, they were Spirit incarnate, strength unparalleled.
No wonder they were revered icons in the great Arenas during the games. Whose strength was greater? The Four Towers were vessels of God and only united in accordance with God’s will. They could create stars and form galaxies.
Not since Sammael fell from grace have the Four Towers been brought together as one.
I strapped the shield to my arm. Spirit surged through me. Mental barriers dissolved. I felt more than whole, I felt Divine. I looked through the eyes of Spirit and my sight was omniscient. I could see behind me, under me, above me, and beyond others at the same time. I felt infinite. Universes floated within me like bubbles.
Armor reformed about me, fresh and new. I mentally summoned my chariot and felt it approaching.
“Welcome back, brother,” said Michael. “Now let us end this.”
CHAPTER FORTY
“Come forth, my people! I am Michael and I come in the name of our Father! Come forth that ye have no fellowship with sins. For your sins have reached even unto God. Come forth and repent!”
Silence fell. Such was the power of Michael’s voice as it boomed across the heavens that all was stilled.
Astride my chariot once more, I rode at the front of the hosts alongside the rest of my Archangel brothers and sisters. To stand alongside them again, in this place, at this time, after all had been lost, was itself a miracle. The moment was not lost on me. My heart swelled with gratitude, to my brethren, to God, to those who had flown with me this day and died.
But most of all my heart filled with resolve.
Requel was in the rear ranks where she would be safe. Dirael soared with the Thrones. Of the hundred forty four thousand that began this day with me, less than twelve thousand survived.
Now I flew with the hosts, over twelve million strong.
We still faced nigh a hundred million fallen.
Moments stretched into minutes after Michael’s appeal. No fallen came forth. An hour passed. In the distance, a fallen retinue began to approach.
“Where is Azazel and Kakabel, do you think?” asked Zerachiel, breaking the silence. She was clothed in a simple dress of yellow and green, a halo shimmering above her head from the magnificence of her aura. Her plain harp made of rosewood was tucked under one arm. Of all my sisters, Zerachiel was the most loving.
“I’m sure they are with the fallen mob, where they belong,” replied Raguel within his chariot. He pulled off his helmet, his face set, his aura blazed with zealotry. “She and Azazel have betrayed us. I have no sympathy for either of them.”
“Do not be so hard, brother,” she soothed. “They are our family still.”
“Which makes their betrayal all the more painful,” he replied.
“Kakabel fell under my sword,” I told her as if it were a confession. Perhaps it was. Guilt still tore at me for hurting her so. “But she yet lives. She is not as we knew her, sister. Lucifer’s influence has changed her.”
“She is the same, Sariel,” Zerachiel answered, her voice full of sorrow. “She has simply lost her way.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. Perhaps she was right. Hadn’t I lost my way more than once? Her words lay heavy upon me as the retinue neared.
“And what of Azazel?” asked Ramiel after a moment. She dazzled in her armor of polished bronze as she held her bow. Her long plume of white fell behind her the whole length of her body. “Have you seen him, Sariel?”
“Yes, our paths have crossed. He aided me when I sorely needed it but his loyalty lies with Lucifer. He is committed to him.”
The mood was somber as the retinue arrived, stopping five hundred feet away.
Lucifer appeared as he had once before on his floating pavilion. He sat hooded on a throne within a courtyard, complete with lush gardens and flowing springs that spilled over the edge. The only difference this time was that the floating platform was not carried on the shoulders of four fiery demons, but on the backs of four fallen Seraphim.
It was a calculated insult to Michael, of that I had no doubt. Michael’s Holy Seraphim, his flock he trained in the highest of spiritual disciplines to achieve the highest states of bliss, were now no more than sycophants to Lucifer’s whim.
I glanced at Michael. To those that didn’t know him, they would have seen no sign of offense. Even his aura radiated the same level of peace and harmony, without a trace of anger.
But I knew better. I could sense his irritation, his disappointment. I could feel his anger kindled.
“What have you come to say, Sammael?” asked Michael, wings extended mightily as he sat upon his horse of purest white.
“Ah, the rest of my family has come to visit me at long last,” said the hooded form. “You are most welcome.”
“Who is this puppet that speaks with my brother’s voice?” asked Uriel.
“Ever the blunt speaker, Uriel. I have missed that about you. I’m afraid my bodily form has changed somewhat lately and is less than pleasing to the eye. Ordinarily, I can mask myself to look exactly as you remembered me. But I’m quite certain that it wouldn’t work here, however, as you’d be able to pierce the illusion with ease. As it stands, I’m reluctant to share that part of myself just yet. Call it a small vanity. Hence, I have borrowed this vessel to do my bidding.”
“Your body has changed how?” asked Uriel.
“To that of a beast with two horns,” I answered. “I have seen it.”
The hooded form turned towards me. “Ah, Sariel. I see you are faring better than when I left you. You also have my old shield. How wonderful for you.”
Michael leaned forward. “You have not answered my question, Sammael. What do you want here?”
“I want to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, Michael. Isn’t that what we all want? There is no need for us to clash this day. There has been enough of that. Let us both depart, in peace, and return to whence we came.”
“Where is the boy?” rumbled Gabriel.
“He is safe.”
“And the girl?” I asked.
He smiled. “I will not harm her either, you have my oath on that.”
“Which means less than nothing,” scoffed Raguel.
“Do not question my integrity, brother!” thundered Lucifer, his words deafening. “Contrary to what you may think, Raguel, I do not speak falsely!” His voice reverted back to calm tones. “After all, what is the point? I have no need to lie to get my way. I simply give a command and my will is obeyed.”
“Give us the children,” said Michael. “And release any others you hold against their will.”
“Are those your terms in exchange for a peaceful departure?”
“They would be, if a peaceful departure could be arranged.”
“Then I accept.”
“We cannot trust him,” said Raguel fiercely.
“And would you prefer the alternative, brother?” said Lucifer. “I assure you, this battle would not be won as easily as you think. Yes, I see the Mighty Hosts arrayed before me but I know what all of you are capable of. You cannot say the same about me. I have yet to reveal my full strength but I will
do so if attacked. In fact, you can thank Sariel for delivering to me my greatest asset. It was through his battle with Mephistopheles in a lower sphere that I uncovered a power greater than Archangel, greater than all of you combined. And I assure you, I will bring it to bear!”
“Your threats worry me not at all, Sammael,” said Uriel. “But we will abide by Michael’s decision.” The others nodded.
“Excellent. We will begin our departure immediately. Afterwards, the children will be delivered to you.”
“And those you hold against their will?” asked Gabriel.
“I do not think you will find as many as you would like, brother. In fact, I would be surprised if you found a one.”
“We shall see.”
“Indeed we will. If there’s nothing else, we will take our leave. I bid you all farewell.” Lucifer snapped his fingers. The devils wheeled the palanquin around.
“No.”
All eyes fell on me. I had uttered the word without realizing it.
But I had made my decision.
I flicked my reins. My fiery steeds snorted and broke into a slow walk.
“What is he doing?” said Lucifer, his voice rising. “Michael, control him!”
I flicked my reins again. The beasts sped up.
“Sariel?” said Michael.
I did not respond. I snapped my reins harder. The beasts surged forward into a fiery gallop. I raced towards Lucifer’s palanquin.
“Stop him!” roared Lucifer.
My chariot hurtled towards the floating platform. It did not slow. As it neared, I voiced my anger and smashed my chariot through it. The palanquin exploded. Rock and vegetation burst outwards in a spray of debris and water. Devils twirled through the air. The hooded figure wheeled and spun as he was thrown back.
In a heartbeat I plowed through them. I raised my shield of the Four Towers and pulled free my sword and let it blaze as brightly as I could. It flared like a thousand suns. I pointed my sword at the massed ranks of fallen. A cry escaped from my lips as I charged forward into the darkness.
Michael appeared at my side, his wings beating mightily as he leaned into his horse, galloping wildly across the sky. I expected him to order me down. To stop me. I did not know if I could obey his will.
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