“What happened to Emok?” Michael asked.
Uriel let him have it all. She held nothing back. Uriel did explain to Michael that she never saw any of the videos of the Shemsus taken over by the darkness; but if Lunok was willing to fall, then Lunok must be telling the truth. She saw the look of horror on Michael’s face and she felt terrible for him. There was no doubt that he was running the scenarios in his mind. If the darkness did that to the Shemsus, then there was no telling what the darkness could do to him and Luciel. And between him and Luciel what could be the fate of Celestia and even Lemuria?
“You normally would’ve been his first choice of guardian,” Uriel said. “But you and Luciel are compromised. You two have Emok’s tainted essence, which is still in dormant form. Given the severity of the situation, it was best not to involve either you or Luciel in this mission. And that’s why he chose me. I am not compromised. I can remain objective and, like he said, I’m the wisest of us.”
Uriel laughed a little, hoping Michael would join her. But Michael was stoic.
“I hope you understand how delicate and serious this mission was, Michael,” Uriel said. “Please… I NEED you to understand.”
Michael was still silent and Uriel was desperate. It was a look in his eyes that made her desperate for Michael to understand where she was coming from. As she pleaded her case, it all made sense to her. There were certain things that he feared, none of which compared to his fear of betrayal. And listening to his best friend, for a moment, he felt betrayed. The last thing Uriel wanted was to lose his trust. However, as desperate as she was to try to convince him otherwise, she saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. His demeanor was starting to change as her words wormed their way into his psyche. She inched towards him as cautiously as she could and reached for his hand. When her fingertips grazed his hand, Michael interlaced his fingers with hers. Uriel’s heart burst with joy. She then knelt in front of Michael and hugged him tightly.
“I’m really sorry, Michael,” Uriel said. “I did not mean for it to sound like I betrayed your trust. I would never do that to you-”
“I know, Uriel,” Michael whispered in her ears. “I know.”
“I’m so, so sorry, Michael,” Uriel said. “I really am.”
“It’s alright,” Michael said and gently stripped himself from her. “It’s alright. In fact, I have an even greater admiration for you. You are far more courageous and wiser than I thought you were. And thank you.”
“What for?” Uriel asked.
“For telling me this,” Michael replied. “And for always having my back.”
“Celestia forbid I let anything happen to you without doing my best to help, Michael!” Uriel swore. “This darkness thing scares me, Michael!”
Michael nodded and smiled.
“I’ll fall,” Michael said.
Uriel grinned.
“But first, there are certain things we must address,” Michael said.
“Which are?” Uriel asked.
“Luciel will be acting supreme leader,” Michael said. “But I’ll need someone to keep an eye on her.”
“I can do that,” Uriel said. “No need to worry.”
“I trust you will,” Michael said. “But I’ll need you to watch my back.”
“I think Celestia will need me more than you will, Michael,” Uriel said.
Suddenly, an idea struck her.
“How about I do both?” Uriel beamed.
“No!” Michael said. “Too much work for your wings.”
“I can handle it, Michael,” Uriel whined. “Besides, you falling is still part of the mission and, no offense, this is MY mission.”
Uriel stood up and folded her arms over her chest.
“It’s Lunok’s mission, Uriel,” Michael said softly.
“Well, Lunok’s and mine,” Uriel argued.
“I still think it will be too much for you,” Michael insisted.
Uriel was a little disappointed. She summoned her wings but dismissed them without flapping them.
“Listen, Michael,” Uriel said. “I know you’re only looking out for me and you think I don’t really like Luciel-”
“Not true, but go on,” Michael corrected her.
“Uh huh!” Uriel said and smiled. “But I can do this, Michael. I have to! Ok, how about this: if I can’t handle both, then I’ll focus solely on watching over you. How about that?”
Michael considered her words for a moment and then nodded.
“Fine!” he said. “But you must keep to your word. Promise me!”
“On my honor!” Uriel replied.
“Good,” Michael said and stood up. “Also, do not go starting any quarrels with Luciel for any reason while I’m gone! Understood?”
Uriel whined but nodded. Michael glared at her.
“Fine! I promise I won’t start any quarrels with her,” Uriel said.
“With who?” Michael asked.
“Luciel,” Uriel replied.
“Don’t make me change my mind now,” Michael said firmly.
“You have nothing to worry about, my fearless leader,” Uriel said, patting Michael on the shoulder.
“I better not,” Michael said. “Now, I must inform Luciel I’m going to fall and that you will be my guardian.”
“What?!” Uriel exclaimed.
“If Lucie knows you’re my guardian, she won’t suspect you watching over her,” Michael explained.
“Oh, I see,” Uriel said, cocking an eyebrow. “Very wise.”
Even though Uriel agreed with Michael, she did not reveal to Michael the main reason why she wanted to maintain a covert operation in Celestia whilst Michael was gone. She did not trust Luciel AT ALL! On the surface, Luciel was perfect. But Uriel could not shake that nagging feeling in the pit of her core that something was certainly off about Luciel. She hoped she was wrong and she really wanted to be wrong. Well, there was only one way to be sure. Nothing wrong with having some insurance in the mean moment, right? So as she kissed Michael and teleported to her domain, she knew she had to come up with the ultimate plan to be a guardian, to monitor and, should the situation arise, she had to also prepare a plan to counter any form of anarchy against their leader and her most trusted friend.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
THE FALL OF MICHAEL
“WHAT DO YOU mean you’re going to fall?” Luciel asked.
“You know what I mean, Lucie,” Michael replied.
“But,” Luciel said. ‘But…”
“It was bound to happen at some point,” Michael said. “We’ve talked about it, we’ve had some kind of preparation for it. So this is the next logical step.”
“But does it have to be you?” Luciel asked.
She was worried beyond measure and Michael could appreciate her concern.
“I mean, you can delegate someone else to go first, right?” she offered. “You don’t have to do this, not right now at least.”
“It has to be me,” Michael insisted. “I’m the leader here and it is my duty to ensure the safety of my brethren-”
“But what if something happens and you can’t come back?” Luciel asked.
“Then Celestia will be in your most capable hands,” Michael replied.
“Celestia means nothing without you,” Luciel said, barely above a whisper.
Luciel slid into his arms and closed her eyes.
“I am nothing without you, Michael,” she added.
Michael was moved tremendously. Luciel spoke from deep within the core of her essence and her words resonated with his essence. He held her for a few moments, stroking her long, black hair.
“I shall return, my love,” Michael promised. “For you, I shall return.”
Michael gently stripped Luciel from his body. He took her face in his hands and kissed her softly on the lips.
“Now, I need you to be as confident about my return as I am,” Michael said. “I need to know before I leave. Can you do that for me, my love?”
“Yes,” Luc
iel replied quietly and managed a weak smile.
“Celestia will be in your hands now, you must stay strong and confident,” he continued. “There’s no one else I trust to handle Celestia more than you.”
Luciel smiled and nodded.
“You know who’s next in line for falling, right?” Michael asked and winked.
“Oh no, I’m not falling,” Luciel replied, shaking her head vehemently.
“If you want to separate yourself from the other leaders, you’ll have to show how far you’re willing to go for them,” Michael said. “Falling will establish that for you.”
Michael observed his words work their magic on Luciel. Luciel was his lover and next-in-command, but he would be a fool to not recognize Luciel’s lust for the one thing she can never have, as long as he was still around, that is. While he was certain Luciel would never betray him, Michael thought feeding her lust for power would be a great way to distract her from being so emotional about his impending fall. Luciel was unaware Michael was also grooming her to be the leader of Celestia. Blind ambition or not, Luciel was the next best archangel to lead. It was only logical, and wise, to give her an on-the-job training.
“I’m excited and a little worried about falling, though,” Michael said.
“Now that I think about it, it does sound a bit exciting,” Luciel concurred.
Luciel grinned and tapped on her chin with her left index finger a few times.
“The beckoning of the unknown,” she said to herself. “Running the realm, being in charge… Hmm! Suddenly, you falling doesn’t sound so bad anymore.”
“Now there’s the archangel I know!” Michael said, sweeping her in his arms.
Several moments of fiery bonding later, Luciel summoned garments on her body. She was about to head for her domain.
“I must tell Uriel about this,” Luciel said.
“About what?” Michael asked, feigning ignorance.
“You falling and me being in charge while you’re away,” she replied, as she raked her fingers through her hair. “She might have some insight to share, given that she does so much researching.”
“Wise thinking on your part,” Michael agreed. “I have to get ready now. See you soon, my love.”
Luciel kissed Michael on the lips and teleported to Uriel’s domain.
“She’s on her way,” Michael said via telepathy.
“Okay,” Uriel replied in kind. “I take it everything went well?”
“Better than expected,” Michael replied.
“She just knocked on my door,” Uriel said. “I’ll keep you apprised.”
Michael severed the telepathic link.
“Come in,” Uriel said, without turning around in her seat.
“Hey Uriel,” Luciel greeted and stepped into Uriel’s domain.
“Hey Luciel,” Uriel replied and spun around in her seat. “What brings you to my humble domain?”
Uriel summoned a chair close to her and waved at it. Luciel eased into it.
“You won’t believe what Michael just told me,” Luciel said with excitement.
“Hmmm, what have you two love wings been up to now?” Uriel eyed her.
“No, nothing like that, sister,” Luciel replied and leaned forward. “Michael is going to fall.”
“What do you mean?” Uriel asked, faking confusion.
“I mean fall as in fall to a lower realm!” Luciel replied.
“Is he alright in the head?” Uriel asked, faking shock. “This is unbelievable. Did you mess with his wings?”
“Of course not, sister,” Luciel replied.
“Did he at least say why?” Uriel asked, leaning forward.
Luciel now had her undivided attention, or so Luciel thought.
“You know how he is, sister,” Luciel said with resignation. “Celestia first, must protect my brethren and all that!”
“Yeah, I know, sister,” Uriel concurred and almost regretted her statement.
But Luciel did not show any sign of misinterpreting Uriel’s statement. Uriel gave a silent thanks to the gods for this good fortune and immediately mentally smacked herself. Damn Necheru and their customs! Uriel thought. They must have rubbed off on her.
“Couldn’t he just delegate that to another angel or archangel?” Uriel asked. “I mean, we don’t know anything about falling. No one has ever fallen before.”
“I asked him the same thing but uh!” Luciel clenched her fists in frustration. “I love that archangel to winglessness. But he can be insufferable sometimes.”
“Only sometimes, sister?” Uriel asked raising an eyebrow.
The two archangels erupted in laughter.
“I want to punch him in the gut so badly sometimes,” Luciel said.
“Maybe you should, sister,” Uriel said. “You’re the only one who can do that to him and live.”
They erupted in more fits of laughter.
“Michael also trusts you more than anyone else, sister,” Uriel said in a more serious tone of voice. “If I know Michael well enough, I’d assume he designated you to be acting archangel supreme in his absence.”
Luciel averted her eyes and nodded.
“A most befitting choice, sister,” Uriel said. “Own it! You deserve it! I’d be honored to have you as my supreme leader any moment, anywhere. Hopefully, you will value my services and council, if need be.”
Luciel could not contain her shock. She opened her mouth to say something but failed. Uriel smiled kindly, stood up and opened her arms. Luciel stood up and walked into them. The sisters hugged each other in a tight embrace.
“Thank you… sister,” Luciel said.
“No need to thank me, sister,” Uriel replied. “We are in this together.”
“Together,” Luciel agreed and took Uriel’s face in her hands. “Together.”
Luciel pressed her lips lightly against Uriel’s, smiled and returned to her seat. Her gesture surprised and confused Uriel, but Uriel waved it aside. She, too, returned to her seat and faced Luciel.
“Michael will need someone to look after him,” Luciel said. “When he falls, that is. He will need a guardian.”
“Oh!” Uriel said, taken aback by Luciel’s forward thinking. “That is true. Do you have an angel or archangel in mind?”
“I was thinking about asking you, sister,” Luciel replied in earnest. “I don’t know of anyone better than you for the task.”
“Me?” Uriel asked, faking surprise and confusion.
“Think about it,” Luciel said and inched forward in her seat.
She was begging Uriel with her eyes and demeanor to accept the task.
“Michael trusts you,” Luciel said. “You two are very close and I know you’ll do everything in your power to keep him safe! I can’t do it because I can’t run Celestia and look after Michael at the same time. The realm comes first.”
“See why I said there’s none better?” Uriel said. “You sound just like him.”
Luciel’s cheeks glowed and she smiled shyly.
“Yeah, I did sound like him,” Luciel agreed.
“I shall do as you wish, soon-to-be acting supreme leader,” Uriel said and winked. “It will be my honor!”
“Together, sister,” Luciel said and winked.
The bells rang across the realm.
“The moment has come,” Luciel said and stood up. “Michael is about to inform everyone.”
“Okay,” Uriel said and stood up as well. “I’ll meet you at the assembly.”
Luciel nodded and teleported away.
“Michael?” Uriel called out to him telepathically.
“How did it go?” Michael asked via telepathy as well.
“Where do I even start?” Uriel replied.
Michael falling was a huge deal in Celestia, not only because it was a first for Celestia, but also because their supreme leader was involved. He was a little late, though. He delivered an elaborate speech that gave his brethren hope for better things ahead, quelled their fears and eased their
concerns, as well as assurance that he would be fine, despite the absence of any shred of evidence to ascertain his claim. But his confidence in his hopeful outcome was intoxicating and seductive. Michael also seized the opportunity to nominate and endorse Luciel as acting supreme leader in his absence.
“She has been second on many levels to me alone,” Michael explained. “We all know that. We’ve seen her in action. So, there’s no need for much ado. But, if anyone believes they can be a better acting leader supreme than Luciel, please step forward and state your case.”
No one stepped forward. Michael gave it a few more moments. Still, no one stepped forward.
“Raphael?” Michael asked.
“I’m good, Michael,” Raphael replied.
“Zukael?”
“Same! I’m good.”
“Malichiel?”
Malichiel hesitated for a moment, earning himself the combined focus of Celestia’s host of angels and archangels.
“I’m just playing,” Malichiel said.
Most found his actions funny, the rest did not. Michael chuckled and turned his attention towards Gabriel.
“Don’t look at me,” Gabriel said. “You know how I am with stuff like this.”
“Last call!” Michael said. “Anybody?”
Silence.
“It’s settled then!” Michael said. “Luciel is your acting supreme leader.”
Michael gestured for Luciel to stand next to him. She nodded her thanks and did as she was told. There was a round of applause and waving of fists in the air. Uriel joined in the applause but her attention was keen enough to notice similar changes in Luciel’s behavior every moment the words ‘supreme leader’ were mentioned. Her eyes would narrow with lust, her jaws would clench with solid purpose and the left side of her lips would curl ever so slightly in a smile loaded with blind ambition. Yes, oh yes! Luciel did not see herself stopping at ‘acting’. If she could be an acting supreme leader, what was to stop her from being THE supreme leader? Worst of all, Uriel could not tell if it was the tainted Shemsu essence, the darkness, that was coming out of dormancy, or if Luciel had always been like that. And what did ‘that’ signify?
Celestial Crisis Page 22
