Michael stood before a pure white marble pedestal in its centre a pool of enchanted water, angel runic designs ran up its pillar. Ancient symbols creating the power of the water inside.
The room as white as the pedestal itself making it seem like the water floated in midair. A celestial place only few had even seen its beauty.
Archangel Michael was the head of heavens elite, the seven commanders of heavens army looked to him to lead us against the underworld. He was our commander, he was my best friend and partner in everything soldiers can be. As one of the seven it was a bond that was never to be broken… That was until that faithful day so many years ago. I shook my head with the memory of it.
No I would not allow myself to think of that sad horrific day. Forcing my memories to the back of my mind I looked again towards Michael. His blond hair so much like hers a constant reminder of what he took- No! I forced myself once again to supress those memories hoping they would stay where they should in the past.
He stood before the pool, tension fragmenting the air around us. His blue eyes make him look innocent but I knew differently. His shoulders tense under his clothes, like me he wore the uniform of heavens soldiers, white chian mail unlike any other. His under tunic was also white as was his pants. His wings sprouted from his shoulders through openings in his clothes as white as the room around us. Unlike my own wings that were pure black as was my own clothes, making my whole existence out of place.
I knew why he had called me here. I knew why yet I had hoped that this day would never come. Had dreaded this day for almost twenty years.
"Stop hovering in the doorway Gabriel it is unbecoming of you."
Sighing I entered the room to stand beside him.
I made a point not to look into the water shimmering with an image I knew would break my heart, still denying what I knew was waiting in its enchanted depths.
"The day has finally come Gabriel, she has finally surfaced."
He scrutinized my demeanour knowing my moods better than anyone.
"I see by your face that you still held hope that she would stay hidden?"
"I will not lie to you, I had hoped."
"Yes but deep down you knew that Peter would not be able to hide her forever?"
"Yes no one has that kind of power not even him, but I must know Michael what are your plans for her now that she can be found?"
Michael smiled sadly.
"Look upon her Brother, that you may see her for the first and last time."
My heart sank at his words the implications in them crystal clear. Reluctantly I peered into the surface of the water as it depicted a beautiful young girl with long blond hair her skin a delicate alabaster. Her eyes grey with a hint of deepest blue, she was slender like her mother but there was a hardness in her that could only come from one person.
My heart soared to see her after so many years. I could not bear to look away, someone so young, so innocent should never have to know the turmoil that was about to enter her life.
I was so entranced with the image before me I did not even notice the two angels enter the room.
"Commander Michael, Archangel Gabriel you requested our presence."
"Dantalis, Camdahar, I have your next mission."
"We are here to serve sire."
Staring upon Dantalis with his jet black hair and his emerald green eyes, he was strongly built as was many of the angels in heavens army. His uniform was many shades of blue with a mix of white. My eyes travelled to his wings, as with all in our ranks our uniforms reflect our wings. The unique mixture of colours gave the illusion of wings made of ice.
Upon seeing these wings and the very distinctive scar that ran across his right eye, I knew who this angel was. Anger burned in my heart, that Micheal could enlist the likes of him had me clenching my hands in fury.
Before Michael could continue I intervened.
"HE is the one you have chosen?"
"Be silent Gabriel."
"But micheal he is a monster it's no secret he has a darkness in him that no angel of heaven should possess."
Michael shot me a menacing look.
"Enough Gabriel you are in no position to object, now be silent or you will be ordered to leave."
my hands remained clenched but I stayed silent. Michael waited til he was sure I was heeding his warning before he continued.
"Now Dantalis you are in charge of this mission you are to go to the earth where you will find a girl under the name Reece Valor. You are intrusted with the task of ending her life. it will not be easy there will be others from his domain protecting her. Do whatever it takes to make sure she does not join them. Do you understand your mission?"
"I do sire, we will not fail."
"If I may sire…?"
The angel named Camdahar had dark brown hair with a red shade to it, his brown eyes melded with his wings with all shades of brown from very dark where they met his back to light brown at the tips of the feathers. He was what humans might call handsome with features that could charm any woman to do whatever he wanted.
Michael nodded urging him to proceed.
"Forgive me for questioning you sire but how are we to kill this girl? God has given all humans free will, if she chooses to join the other side we are not permitted to intervene."
"You are quite right Camdahar however she will not be human for much longer. While it is true she is human now soon that will not be the case. In exactly three months' time, she will grow her wings and be as we are. It is when this happens that you and Dantalis must end her life. The longer she has her wings the more powerful she will become and the harder it will be to kill her. Under no circumstances must she be allowed to live. do you understand?"
"Yes sire I understand."
Camdahar hid his surprise very well though I did see the slight rise of his eyebrows at Michael's words.
I could not let this happen after all these years I could not let that monster kill her I had to try one last time.
"Michael please I implore you do not do this, she is just a child pl-"
"ENOUGH GABRIEL!"
His words shook through my very being as his wings glowed with power forcing me to my knees.
"Remember your place brother, I will not warn you again."
I remained silent gritting my teeth.
The power died down until he was his usual self.
Michael turned back to Dantalis and Camdahar who had watched the scene before them without a word.
"Now you Dantalis have three months to get close to Reece while she is human. Once her wings are fully formed cut her down. Camdahar with your experience in interacting with humans you will help Dantalis. Now both of you go do as I have ordered."
"Yes sire."
"Yes sire"
Both swiftly left before another word was spoken. My anger slowly turned into pain with each step they made their way towards the exit.
Not wanting to be alone with the one I once called brother I stood and began to follow in their wake.
"You will not interfere brother."
Without looking back I answered.
"We have not been brothers for many years Michael."
I started to leave again til I felt his hand on my shoulder.
"No we have not, but I still believe that one day you will understand that everything I have done has been for the good of the entire world."
Shaking his hand off me I finally turned to face him with fire in my eyes my own wings glowing with the power of my emotions.
"I will never understand, just as you will never understand what it is to feel the pain that I have had to endure."
I left him standing there as his eyes shadowed with a lost brotherhood that will never be repaired.