The drive up to Princeton was relatively quiet, Jane seemed slightly annoyed at the fact that she was being dragged to her parents house. They were driving for about 30 minutes, following Mr Coopers brown pickup truck. Gabriel was sitting in the front seat, quietly looking out the window. He would look at Jane every now to make sure she was okay. "Can't believe she's making me drive all the way back home because of a 'Ghost' problem," Jane suddenly burst out, she kept her eyes on the road but was visibly mad. Gabriel was going to interject about the existence of spirits in the mortal world but as he opened his mouth his partner gave him a quick death stare. he decided it was probably better to stay quiet.
"Alright, house rules: no miracles, no spouting random biblical knowledge, and don't...in any case mention my childhood. Comprende?" Jane listed as she drove, giving the angel a look after each rule. The angel smiled, "Yes that should be fine," He replied, looking back out the window and taking the scenery in. After this short conversation nothing was said, Jane turned on the radio and nothing else was said, Jason Derulo was playing in the background. They arrived at the Cooper house about 40 minutes later. It was a large home, with a large plot of land around it, no other homes for at least a mile. As Jane pulled into the driveway, Gabriel started reaching out to the house, making sure no spirits were trapped there. What he felt was extremely surprising, nothing. He expected an old looking house like this to have at least one spirit.
He was brought out of his train of thought by the slamming of the driver side door. Jane was standing at the door by the time the angel got out the car. He heard a click as Jane locked the car and he ran up to catch up with her and her father. The inside of the house was beautiful, granted the age had not treated it well. Some of the wallpaper was peeling but not enough to be extremely noticeable, there was some mould but only in high corners, and there seemed to be a slight draft. Despite this the house was cleaned extremely well, everything was polished, and dust was non existent. In the hallway of the house stood a women with short grey hair and nice auburn eyes, the angel saw who Jane got her beauty from. Despite her age you could see a pretty face beneath the wrinkles of Mrs Cooper.
Mrs Cooper seemed slightly confused for a moment as she saw Gabriel, clearly not expecting him. "Hello, Mrs Cooper I am Gabriel Myers, I work with your daughter," the angel said stepping forward and extending a hand to the woman, she smiled and extended her hand to Gabriel. "He's quite the looker, isn't he," Mrs Cooper muttered during her hug with her daughter, Jane blushed slightly at the words, and quickly changed the subject to dinner. As the family began heading for the living room, Gabriel finally sensed something in the house. It was a daunting presence, and one that felt somewhat familiar, though even the likes of his father couldn't compare to the power this being was radiating. Gabriel thought of tracking it down but at that moment, the presence disappeared, just as fast as it had come. Setting the matter aside for now he followed the family to the living room, where they were discussing Jane's current life.
"So this Gabriel, you two together or-" Gabriel heard Mrs Cooper say before she was cut of by Mr Cooper telling her about the conversation at the angels home. As the angel walked in all eyes were on him, "Well...I better go check the pot roast...The uh, ghost is upstairs if you wanna go check it out," Was all Mrs Cooper said before leaving the room and going to the kitchen. When she did, Gabriel gave Mr Cooper a nice smile before gesturing to his partner to follow him, reluctantly Jane did. When they were out in the hallway, Gabriel turned to his partner, "Your mom is not crazy, there is something here. Not a spirit, but something. I felt a presence," The angel whispered as Jane got closer, "Damn, stop it before it does any harm," Jane ordered before heading back to the living room. The angel decided to go upstairs and find this 'thing'.
Walking up the creaky stairs, Gabriel summoned his angel blade, despite being half of a meter in length it had the power to destroy most beings. When he reached the top he felt it again. That presence. It surrounded him as he reached the second floor. The angel suddenly felt constricted, as if he was surrounded by water reaching up to his neck. His angel blade fell to the floor and he stood there, defenseless. That's when it appeared, a familiar dark shadow in a corporeal form. The same being that was in his apartment, that's why the presence felt like something he had come in contact with. "Who are you?" The angel demanded, still unable to move. The shadow tilted it's head once more, after a while a voice filled the angels head, even though the shadow's mouth hadn't opened. "Listen well angel, my time here is short, I have come to give you a warning of what's to come. Beware child, the silver city is destined to fall, just like the City of Gold so long ago. Now...Wall of God ascend and burn with the power of old!" The voice boomed, then the shadow bowed before the angel and dissipated.
Gabriel fell to his knees with a thud as the hold on him released, then he felt a thundering pain from within his head and the angel lost consciousness. He was in a dark void, surrounded by nothingness. Slowly, he pushed himself off his knees and stood up. 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘬. The sound of the word echoed throughout the abyss the angel found himself in. He looked around, "Who said that? Show yourself!" the angel shouted, his words echoing around and distorting. 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭. Yet again the words echoed, this time the source seemed to be right beside him. It almost sounded like it was Gabriel who was saying it. "Are you the Valiard they all speak of?" shouted the angel into the darkness, hoping to find an answer. "No." said someone who sounded just like Gabriel. The sound was coming from behind the angel, who spun round to face it. There stood Gabriel, donning white and gold robes, similar to the style of the Greeks. His hair was light brown, not dark brown like the angels hair actually was. His eyes were the color of fire and his mouth was twisted into a smirk.
Gabriel doubled back. The man stepped forward, now face to face with Gabriel. "I am...well it doesn't really matter anymore, for the purpose of this...activity you can call me Myers," said the man thoughtfully. Gabriel said nothing but gazed at this 'Myers', attempting to think of beings with the power of disguise. Myers smiled, he saw everything that Gabriel thought. Knew every move he would make, he had seen all of his memories and more. He was the superior in this room. "What is the purpose of this activity then?" Gabriel remarked looking around the darkness, "To see how long I can last without light?" He continued. Myers just widened his smile before disappearing into thin air. The surrounding area changed, Gabriel was in a pit. The walls were made of rock and flesh and it was ridiculously hot. He knew instantly where he was. Hell.
At that moment appeared a man in rags, his eyes were stained red. Demon. The man hurtled towards the angel, who understanding the game he was playing dodged and elbowed the demon in the back. The demon fell to the ground, hoping with all his might that it would work the angel summoned his angel blade. To his relief it appeared in his hand and he brought it down through the demon. As that demon disappeared two more took it's place. Each holding a blade, the angel instantly recognized the blades. They belonged to Wrath and Gluttony. Gluttony was large, easily double the size of Gabriel. Wrath on the other hand, despite being the same size as the angel had much larger muscles.
Gluttony charged the angel swinging the sword down upon him, Gabriel acted quickly parrying the sword with his own and kicking the demon back. Gluttony flew back a few meters hitting the edge of the pit but stayed standing. All of a sudden the angel felt a sharp pain on his side as Wrath sliced him with his blade. 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤. This angered Gabriel deeply, ignoring the sharp pain he launched his angel blade at Gluttony, impaling him right in the neck. Then he turned and swiped Wrath's legs. The demon jumped over the swipe and impaled the angels leg with his blade. 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭, 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘮. With his right leg impaled to the ground, Gabriel was immobile. Wrath got on top of the angel and started hitting his face, over and over again. 𝘪 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺. These words awoke something in the angel. He suddenly had the strength to continue. With all his might he summoned an angelic force to crash down upon the demon.
A sudden bolt of light flew down from the top of the pit, striking Wrath and throwing him across the room. Gabriel ripped the Blade of Wrath out from his leg and limped over to the demon. Wrath sat there against the wall. His body burnt from the bolt of light. He was laughing. Without a second thought Gabriel forced the Blade straight through his chest.
The walls of the pit transformed into a long corridor. About 25 meters long, and at the other side of the corridor stood Jane. She was encased in a glass caged. "GABE PLEASE HELP ME!" She shouted, desperately hitting the glass cage, but just as Gabriel began moving towards her, his path broke away. Now between them there was a hole going down as far as the eye can see. "What kind of activity is this? It's impossible!" Shouted the angel into the dark abyss, waiting for an answer from Myers. 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦?
"No, a simple choice," Said Myers as he appeared next to the angel, "To save the girl, kill this angel. Then I will construct a bridge for you to cross," he continued, waving his hand to an area behind them where the angel Eremiel appeared. He was in rags and chained to the wall. Gabriel frowned, "I can't, that's against all the rules my father ever set!" He shouted, glaring at Myers. Suddenly, he disappeared. Appearing next to the glass cage. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴. Gabriel's eyes widened. He couldn't let Jane die, she was his partner, she had helped him so much. She didn't deserve this. 𝑵𝑶. The word was involuntary but it echoed through the room, filling every crevice. Sighing the angel closed his eyes. He felt his angel blade appear in his hand, and he walked towards Eremiel. "No, no, I am you're brother! She is just another human!" Eremiel argued as the other angel approached him silently.
On the other side of the room Myers stood watching Gabriel. Jane was in her cage watching what Gabe was doing. "He isn't actually going to do it is he? What does he think he is doing?" Jane asked, still looking intently at her friend. "Saving you," replied Myers with a smile on his face. Just then Gabriel brought the blade above his head, much to the horror of Eremiel who began begging for his life. Then with one swift motion...Gabriel brought the blade down upon his brother ending his life. Letting go of the blade Gabriel turned around to face Myers and Jane. His face looked determined, unfazed. His eyes on the other hand showed a different story. Pain, anger, sadness. "Bridge..." Was all Gabriel said as he walked towards the edge of the hole. 𝘈𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥. Right in front of Gabriel formed a bridge made of stone. It formed all the way from the other end, moving closer towards him. Before he even stepped on it though, the bridge erupted into a green blaze of fire.
"That's demonic fire! I'll die if i cross it!" raged the angel over the sound of the screaming flames. 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴. Gabriel tensed, he removed his suit jacket throwing it into the pit and undid his top button. Then with the intention of saving Jane he walked forward. The pain was excruciating, it took every bit of Gabriel's will to keep moving forward. He tried to think of Jane but the pain blocked all thought, all he knew was the pain. The pain stopped him from screaming, it felt as if he would die any second. He wanted to die. Then he heard something over the screams of the flames. "Gabe! Please, please tell me you're alive. I can't lose you!" It was the voice of Jane. She wanted him to survive. She needed him to survive. He would survive.
𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘱. Gabriel pressed on. 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬. The pain was worth it, Jane needed him. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭. Just ahead through the fire, Gabriel saw Myers, just standing there. He had a confused expression on his face, surprise almost. 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸. Gabriel reached the end of the fire and walked out onto the other side. Instantly all pain was gone, he looked at himself and he had no burns. The cage around Jane melted into nothingness and she ran towards Gabriel. "One last test. Why did you save the human over your brother?" Myers said as Jane embraced Gabriel, the angel looked up at the other him. He didn't say anything just stared. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦. Gabriel thought just as everything went black.
When he opened his eyes again he was laying on a couch. Jane was sitting beside him arguing with her parents. "See I told you we had a ghost dear!" he heard Mrs Cooper say crossing her arms as she did so. "Mom can you please stop with that nonsense, he has a condition, I told you this!" Jane this time, in a rather exasperated tone. For Gabriel it was hard to speak, his voice was so dry, "Water" he rasped finally, the whole room turned to face him. Mrs Cooper ran into the next room and fetched water as Mr Cooper just watched Gabriel. Jane turned her head to him, she looked relieved, "Don't you dare do that to me again!" She announced as a glass of water was passed to him. Slowly, he drank it. Then once he was done he sat up, much to the disapproval of Jane, "Me and Jane need to talk alone, please" Gabriel croaked, prompting Mr and Mrs Cooper to leave the room.
"Jane, listen I need to go home, to Heaven," Gabriel announced turning his head to face hers, Jane seemed shocked, "What why? How long will you be?" She questioned, clearly worried. The angel shook his head, "I do not know, I need answers only home can provide," he answered, then standing up carefully he put the glass down on the coffee table. Then he extended his hand to Jane, leading her outside to the driveway. "I am sorry for doing this, when I have returned I will contact you," the angel said, her hand still in his, Jane grabbed his other hand. "I understand, take care Gabriel, I'll see you soon," she said before bringing him into an embrace. They held it for a while before Gabriel broke it off, and stepped back. Jane smiled softly as he did.
Gabriel looked at her, he would miss her, he knew he wouldn't be gone forever, but he would still miss her, "I will contact you when I am back," is all the angel said. Jane gave him an understanding nod as he took another step back and unsheathed his wings. His wings were the color of silver, though every couple of feathers glowed the color gold. Gabriel smiled and looked up, instantly rising at an immense speed. As he flew up he knew several things.
Something was coming...It was coming soon...it would change everything...and Heaven had all the answers.