by Wendy Owens
“Sort of,” Michael replied.
“How can you sort of be an angel?” Gabe asked, frustrated with Michael’s response.
“Remember when I said we were specialized?” Michael asked.
“Yeah,” Gabe replied while nodding.
“We are a unique breed of angel. Our primary purpose is to keep the creatures of hell where they belong. But we will get into all of that later.” Michael continued as he explained the parts the book left out. “Something else that makes us different is we are no longer immortal.”
“Wait, what? You were once immortal?” Gabe asked.
“I personally never have been immortal. As the years passed, the original Guardians took wives or husbands, soon enough they had families. The choice to make a family here on earth meant one would have to sacrifice their immortal life. Eventually, every Guardian felt overwhelmed by the desire to make a home in this world.” As the words left Michael’s lips, he bowed his head and paused thoughtfully in silence.
A moment later Michael continued.
“A lonely life, Gabe, is a very hard life indeed. One I hope you will not have to experience.”
The words made Gabe think about how his life had already been full of loneliness. Somehow though, Gabe thought that Michael knew of a greater loneliness.
At last Michael looked at Gabe. As if trying to push some awful memory from his mind, Michael began again.
“When the time did come that a Guardian died, a member of his or her sacred bloodline would receive the calling. These hybrids of mankind and angels were blessed with divine abilities to help them in their quest to battle creatures from the underworld. With each generation the bloodline has weakened and their life cycle shortens.”
“Shortens? How long do Guardians live?” Gabe asked, immersed in the tale Michael was spinning.
“The original Guardians lived nearly a thousand years.” Michael replied. “Once the bloodlines were mixed with humans, the life cycles began to be anywhere from two hundred to three hundred years, depending on how diluted the bloodlines are. Of course there are always exceptions.”
“So how old are you?” Gabe asked with a slight chuckle at the end.
“I will be three hundred and fourty-six years old next week.” Michael replied. Gabe was shocked the man could say it with a straight face.
“Wow, you really do look amazing for your age.” Gabe added, annoyed that he was being toyed with.
“A Guardian doesn’t age the same way humans do.” Michael explained, ignoring Gabe’s taunts. “Most of us remain young in appearance until we die. It’s one of our abilities. Gabe, I know this is all very hard to accept but if you give us time, we can show you we are telling you the truth.”
Gabe was still trying to wrap his mind around the possibility of living for hundreds of years when Michael continued his story.
“The mission of the Guardians is to protect mankind from the forces of hell. A Guardian is to preserve free will and avoid allowing humans to see anything super natural while helping them on their quest for divine knowledge.”
“A quest for divine knowledge? Sorry, but I never knew there was such a quest.” Gabe found that as Michael spoke he had more questions rather than less.
“There is a battle over mankind’s eternal souls. We protect them so they can learn enough to make a decision on what they believe.” Michael explained.
Michael sat watching Gabe’s reaction. Gabe just stared off into the distance as he tried to process all of the information.
“Do you have any other questions so far, Gabe?” Michael finally asked.
Gabe had a mountain of questions. It was hard to narrow it down to just one. When he agreed to come here last night, the last thing he had expected to be told was that there were angels and demons running around the earth battling it out for mankind’s souls.
“So are you saying Uri and Sophie are several hundred years old?”
Michael laughed lightly, sliding the book completely into Gabe’s hands and standing to retrieve his pipe.
“No, no... They are still aging normally and will continue to until their late teens. That’s usually when we see the aging process slow.” Michael replied. “Guardians became mortal when they were placed among mankind. We do have long lives, but in the end we all die. There are no original Guardians left. The old folks like me have an important job and that’s to prepare the next generation.”
Gabe looked up at Michael, completely overwhelmed and confused by what he was being told. Seeing Gabe’s state, Michael suggested a break.
“We have one of the most amazing cooks. I am sure you have never tasted such delicacies.”
Gabe thought about all the unanswered questions he had but the growls of his stomach were immediately outweighing any of them. He nodded and stood, placing the oversized book onto the couch. He followed Michael from the room, visions of sticky gooey pastries playing out in his mind.
Chapter Five
Gabe followed Michael outside and across the courtyard. He squinted as the sun glared down on them. With each step, he could feel everyone around them stop what they were doing and watch.
“Don’t mind them,” Michael said, glancing at Gabe with a smile. “You have to understand, they’ve been waiting for some time to meet you.”
Gabe considered everything he had seen and heard since he met Uri the night before. He could not understand the connection to him or how everyone appeared to know about him.
“Excuse me,” Gabe began. “I’m sure you can understand when I say everything I have been told up until now seems, in itself, pretty spectacular. To be honest, as I said before, it’s hard to believe. I don’t understand where I fit into this equation.” Gabe looked down at the ground as they continued to walk, not wanting to look Michael in the eyes.
“I guess I just want someone to explain why I’m even here.” Gabe added as Michael came to a stop. Realizing Michael was no longer at his side Gabe halted and looked back. Michael stood there looking at him, at a loss for words.
Michael then rushed up to Gabe and placed his hands on his shoulders. He looked into his eyes and with a soft but direct tone said, “Gabe, you can’t see it? You are one of The Guardians. A very important one we have been waiting for, for a long time.”
Gabe was suddenly locked in Michael’s stare.
“What? No, I can’t be. I’m sixteen years old. My parents...” Gabe thought of his parents and their tragic death, hesitating for a moment. “My parents were humans.”
Michael smiled which gave Gabe a little comfort.
“Gabe, except for the original guardians we all were born of human parents. What make us special are our bloodlines. Your great, great, great grandfather died a year before you were born. With his death, the ancestral line was activated. You were the next born in his line, which meant you were destined to take his place.” Michael dropped his hands from Gabe’s shoulders and looked off into the distance, whispering just below his breath, “and for so much more.”
Gabe had heard Michael’s mutterings but was trying to absorb being told he was a Guardian.
“I don’t see how...” Gabe felt his legs begin to wobble. “I’m just a...” His thoughts were jumbled and he had trouble finding the right words. Seeing that Gabe was trembling with shock, Michael grabbed his arm and led him to a nearby stone bench.
“Gabe, everyone is overwhelmed when they first learn about who they are.” Michael reassured him.
“Wait,” Gabe said looking at Michael. “You mean all of these kids here are Guardians?”
“A few,” Michael said looking up at all the young people who had returned to what they were doing moments ago. “There are those who have different paths than guardians. Ultimately we have all come together to join in the fight against the evil of the world.”
“So they all came to you the same as me? An orphan? None of them knew who they were or what they were until they met you?” Gabe asked, intrigued by the idea of other people traveling t
he same path as him. He had gone through life with an immense feeling of being alone up until now. Even if it was a messed up connection, it was something.
Michael thought about the question for a moment. “I guess it depends on the individual. Many of these kids have come from a lot of different places and situations. But yes, several are similar to yours. A number of Guardian’s families stay on here and help with our needs for generations after their bloodlines have been activated. But it is a very reclusive life and hard for most to make the choice to stay hidden.”
“Can they leave whenever they want?” Gabe asked.
“Well,” Michael began. “In order to keep our secret it is necessary for us to wipe all knowledge of the manor from their memory. Then they are allowed to leave and start their own lives.”
“You erase their memory?” Gabe said in a disgusted tone.
“It’s not as bad as you might think Gabe,” Michael said defending their methods. “They go into the world with memories of their friends and family, just any recollection of the Guardians or the location of the manor must be wiped out. They are given the choice.”
Michael leaned down to meet eyes with Gabe.
“Rampart Manor is cloaked by very powerful incantations. All the forces of the underworld believe the destruction of the Guardians is the key to their being able to overrun earth. The worst part is that they’re right.”
“What?” Gabe asked trying not to sound panicked.
“We are the last line of defense. If we are gone, the demons will triumph and the earth will be in ruins. What the demons don’t realize, or they are so blinded by their desire to conquer that they don’t care, is if that were to happen it would usher in the end of days.”
“We are it?” Gabe asked incredulously, “The end of us means the end of the world?”
Michael smiled. He enjoyed that Gabe had referred to the Guardians as we.
“The responsibility does not lie solely with Rampart. We are not the only training ground for Guardians. There were a total of four facilities spread throughout the world until 1942.”
“What happened in 1942?”
“A sister facility, Raven Torch, was destroyed. All of the Guardians within were killed by a powerful evil force. The remaining three locations have dedicated effort to concealing their secrets not only for the sake of the Guardians but for mankind.” Michael explained, his voice cracking as he told the story.
“When Rampart manor was established hundreds of years ago the demons came close to discovering our location.”
“What happened?” Gabe gasped as the question slipped from his lips.
“I wasn’t born when Rampart was built. Legend says our Master Guardian at the time was given the task of venturing to the new world and building a training facility.” Michael began the story. “He was making progress and the locals were eagerly helping in the building process. Somehow a legion of demons discovered Rampart was being constructed and the village of Roanoke was helping in that construction. The demons came in during the night and wiped out the entire village.”
“Wait.” Gabe stopped Michael’s story. He couldn’t believe what he was about to ask. “Are you saying the ‘Lost Colony’ of Roanoke was slaughtered by demons?”
Michael nodded solemnly.
“Those left sought shelter within the walls of Rampart. Thanks to the clerics incantations, Rampart manor wasn’t discovered.” Michael stood and extended his hand to Gabe, clearing his throat.
“How about we go and get that food I’ve been promising you?” Michael asked. The sad history clearly unsettled him.
Remembering the previously mentioned feast, Gabe stood. As they walked towards a large, stone building across the courtyard, Michael further told Gabe about the manor and their mission to preserve mankind.
After a lifetime of being shifted around from foster home to foster home, Gabe thought about how the place sounded like a vacation paradise. Even with the threat of demons, he could imagine himself in this life.
Finally they arrived at the entrance to the dining hall. Michael pushed the old wooden door open to reveal a huge room that had wooden tables surrounded by long, rustic benches. The tables filled the large open space. Gabe imagined it could hold hundreds of people.
“This is where we all gather for our meals together.” Michael explained.
It finally dawned on Gabe exactly how vast this place was. It was quite amazing.
“Just around this corner,” Michael said, leading the way. Gabe followed him back through a large archway. As they continued down the corridor, amazing smells began to fill his nostrils. It was absolutely intoxicating. He could taste the sugar in the air as they walked.
They rounded a corner. Without warning, Gabe’s jaw dropped in awe as he saw a huge kitchen in front of him. The walls were covered in ivory subway tiles that Gabe imagined had probably been white at some point. There were wooden prep tables in every direction. Gabe counted at least a dozen stoves. He could imagine what the kitchen must be like when it was bustling with cooks.
“Chef,” Michael said rushing over to shake the hand of a lanky man standing only feet away. Gabe thought it humorous that a chef could be so thin, but quickly lost that thought when he saw the lavish table behind the man. He realized he hadn’t eaten dinner the previous evening. The growling in his stomach gave testimony to his hunger. Michael continued introducing them. Gabe struggled to listen with all the distracting delicious delights before him. His attention was caught by the food. Soon the pleasantries were done and the chef stepped aside so Gabe could fill his plate.
There were stacks of flapjacks with butter pooling on the top and drips running down the side. Another plate was overflowing with twisted cinnamon buns that were smothered with homemade icing so thick the top of the buns were barely visible. Crisp bacon, brown sausage (links and patties) and ham slices were artistically spiraled on another platter. Scrambled eggs, any fruit you can imagine, biscuits, and gravy so creamy and smooth that Gabe mistook it for buttermilk.
The table never seemed to end. Gabe couldn’t figure out where to begin.
“Don’t worry,” Michael said patting him on the back. “You can always get seconds.”
Gabe was relieved that he didn’t have to choose only one item. The thing that pleased him the most was that it wasn’t another morning of burnt toast and powdered eggs served at the home for wayward boys. Gabe began to pile his plate as high as he could, catching a sausage link in his hand as it rolled from atop his mounded plate. Once he found a seat at one of the wooden tables and benches, he didn’t stop eating until he thought he might burst.
Chapter Six
After his amazing meal earlier that day, Gabe was given a tour of the grounds by a young boy named Rufus who he guessed couldn’t be any older than twelve.
As they walked the grounds, Gabe began to play back the conversations he and Michael had shared. He had many more questions, but Michael had been called away on important business. He had assured Gabe there would be plenty of time for more questions after he returned.
Gabe became uncomfortable when he realized that Rufus was continuously staring at him and stumbling over his words each time he spoke. It didn’t take long for Gabe to realize the boy had some misplaced hero worship. After only a few stops on the tour, Gabe feigned a headache and asked to be escorted back to his room.
Rufus had been all too willing to accommodate him and practically tripped over his feet guiding him back to his chambers. Once there, he offered to get Gabe anything he needed; perhaps a pain reliever or a healer. Surprised at the notion of a healer coming to cure a headache, Gabe shook his head and explained to Rufus he just wanted to lie down.
Gabe began to close the door with Rufus still yammering on the other side. He guided it closed slowly trying not to be rude but the boy seemed to ramble incessantly. At last, the boy paused to catch his breath. Gabe seized the moment to say a quick thank you and goodnight, pushing the door closed completely.
&
nbsp; After he was alone, Gabe plopped down into one of the high back chairs near the fireplace. His thoughts had just begun to wonder when he noticed that on the side table was the book he had been studying earlier with Michael.
On top of the book was a paper. A short note was scribbled on it:
Gabe,
Please feel free to study further. Hopefully, it will help you answer any questions you may have. We will talk soon.
-Michael
Gabe felt excitement swell up inside him as he tore open the book and thumbed through the thin pages. He poured over all the details it contained for hours. He was amazed at how ideas in the book differed from what he had always thought.
Growing up, Gabe believed Hell was a place where evil souls went. If it were even real at all. He had assumed demons were what people who went to hell transformed into. This book explained a different reality.
Gabe devoured the book. He absorbed facts such as, demons were not lost souls. He learned that demons were merely fallen angels that had followed Satan in the great war of Heaven. The book laid the story out in epic fashion. Gabe was intoxicated from its images.
As he read on, Gabe learned of how angered God had become over the treachery of Lucifer. He had shown him the most favor. He had cast Lucifer, the angel who had betrayed him, out of heaven, never to return.
Lucifer, completely enraged by the manner in which he was punished, directed his hatred at mankind. He blamed them for his choice to go against God in the first place. Lucifer hated how God lavished men with the gifts of the earth. He was determined to destroy mankind. Lucifer was convinced that if he could make mankind suffer like he had, it would bring God to his knees.
God, being omnipotent, was fully aware of Lucifer’s plans. Lucifer considered God arrogant. He believed a war with mankind would show God the error of his ways. The odd thing was, both Lucifer and God loved one another but Lucifer was so blinded by his rage, all he could think about was revenge. Lucifer was confident he would eventually bring Heaven crumbling down.
