"And what exactly is that supposed to mean Nathaniel!".
"Exactly as I said, Salaquiel. I request to give up my position as an Archangel of Sekaila."
Murmurs of curiosity and astonishment went up in the chambers. The angels were displeased with this.
"And all for what, a lowly human?!" Salaquiel raged.
"She's not just a lowly human." Nathaniel replied, "I love Noelle and I want to live the remaining of my days with her. I am willing to do anything to be together with her including becoming human!"
Disarray arose among the sons of The One. The rumors have finally been confirmed by the archangel himself - he was in an affair with a human.
"You are willing to go that far for a human. You're going to give up your power and authority all for a measly creature. I cannot accept that!!" Saraquiel shouted, and banged his fist on the ruby table in front of him.
"That will be quite enough from the both of you." A majestic voice called out to them.
The voice commanded so much respect, that it made the entire chamber - both upper and lower to be calmed. Only one archangel would be capable of such a feat, and all the angels knew who exactly he was.
'Is that... It can't be.... T-that's the head of the hosts!'
"What do you have to say to this, Captain?" Another voice asked.
The one descending the stairs of the entranceway that led to the upper chamber took a seat behind a veil at the head of the ruby table.
The long rectangular table lay in the center of the upper room with eight golden chairs - one at the head, three by each side, and one at the end of the table. A veil hung over the seats, covering the faces of those who sat in them. Two seats were noticably empty - the seat at the end and one of the three at the left side.
"I would like to hear the voices of our brethren before I make a verdict." The one called 'Captain' spoke.
"And what's there to listen to? You know that none of our brothers would agree to such a nonsensical proposal." Salaquiel said.
"I'm afraid that's not the case." Yet another voice behind the veil replied, "If that is what Nathaniel wants, then he would have to pay the consequences for it in full as well."
"I am in accordance with Jegudiel." The voice's face covered behind the veiled curtains of the high seats in the upper chamber just like the other prominent voices. "If Nathaniel truly desires it, his wish is to be granted to him as he appears to be fully ready to accept the fate that comes with his actions".
"Are you all for real? Are you really going to accept this?!" Salaquiel was astounded.
"Yes indeed, but our other brothers choose not to speak so I concur that we should take the vote now to determine Nathaniel's destiny" the same voice answered him.
Sounds of approval where heard among the angels of the both lower and upper chambers. Every angel in agreement with the suggestion.
"Since it has come to this, among we seven, those who wish for Nathaniel to have his desire granted should add a star to the existing amount in the firmament." The one called 'Captain' said to the seven heavenly hosts.
Stars were created in an instant in the skies. Astrologers from the east were the first humans to notice this change in the sky. The information was immediately received by the figure called 'Captain'. He sighed and stood up from his seating.
With a loud voice he declared, "My brethren, all angelic beings from the infinite spaces of the universe, we the seven archangels have made our decision!!"
What could they have possibly decided on?... what did they agree on?... what's going to happen next?... The heavens were in confusion.
"From this day onwards, Nathaniel El Andrei, you will be stripped of your status as the Eighth archangel. All authority, power and blessings bestowed upon you by His Majesty will be taken from you and returned back to him. You are to be cast down from the heavens and you will live among humans - as a human. You will be nothing and remain nothing. These are the consequences of loving another creature other than your own kind!!"
A bright light enveloped Nathaniel and he began to be lifted up in the air. There was a loud rumbling noise that made even the angels to tremble in fear and awe.
"I see." Nathaniel said, as his body continued to glow. His wings fell from back and his hair transformed from it's bright gold color to a more human one. His eyes retained its sparkling blue iris but his figure shrunk to a size considered normal for a mortal.
"Any last words before you leave us Nathaniel?" One of the archangels from the upper chamber asked.
"None whatsoever. But, the only regret I have... is not being a better friend to you Raguiel." He replied with a soft smile.
His body began to fade away slowly. The angels all looked at the rare scene in front them, some in awe, others in contempt, and the rest in sadness. They weren't just losing an angel, they were also losing a valuable friend.
"Looks like it's time up fo me. It's been a great honor to be at your service. Sera, there's no need to cry and Cheru, watch over your sister okay?"
"I-I will!", the angel named Cheru, seated at the front row down in the lower chamber replied, wiping his own tears and holding on to his sister's hand tightly as she openly wept at Nathaniel's farewell.
"Well, it's been fun everyone". Nathaniel said and vanished into thin air.
The atmosphere remained silent as he disappeared. Some still in disbelief at that current events that just took place.
'You're not going to get off that easy Nathaniel El Andrei.'
-2 YEARS LATER-
"Run!! Run for your lives!! Don't sto- ahhh!!!"
"Please help me! Please save my baby!!"
"We have sinned! We have sinned against His Najesty! And he's raining terror upon us!! Repent! Repent!!".
The lands and seas were split open. Stars and planetary bodies fell from their places, the air was stale and the sun was overbearingly hot. Rays of light descended on the entire world of Sekaila bringing demolition in their wake. There was mass destruction and everyone fled for their lives. All miracles, powers and abilities granted to the humans were nullified. Families and friends were separated by earthquakes, little children who couldn't run were killed in them. The elderly men and women were crushed by buildings. Tornadoes destroyed houses and the people's belongings. Lightning split countries and continents into two, causing devastation of government and global power. Beasts of different species roamed the earth, killing men, women and children alike. No one was spared and humanity rapidly drew to a horrible end.
"Nathan where are we going?" A woman asked.
She was beautiful, with pretty dark blue hair and gorgeous azure eyes. She had a child in her arms and her husband held her hand as he took her away to a safe place amidst all the chaos.
"Just hold on a little longer Noelle. We'll get there soon", the man Nathaniel replied.
"Okay, I trust you." She said.
He led her through the unsettled people, everyone looking out for themselves and themselves alone. He and his wife went in the opposite direction of the crowd, to a place that Nathaniel guaranteed would be safe for them, at least for a while.
"Nathan watch out!"
A large thorn sprung up from the earth, stabbing through the chest of three people in front of the couple. Blood spewed on Nathaniel as he narrowly dodged the thorn.
"That was close." He said. He gripped her hand tighter and continued to pull her along with him through the crowd.
As they were moving, a loud voice came from the sky.
"NATHANIEL EL ANDREI, THIS IS THE RESULT OF YOUR ACTIONS. BECAUSE OF YOU THE HUMAN RACE WILL PERISH AND ALL HOPE WOULD BE LOST. YOU HAVE BUT ONE OPTION, GIVE YOURSELF UP AND LEAVE THAT WRETCHED HUMAN BEFORE THE NEXT HOUR AND WE WILL SPARE HUMANITY. IF YOU DON'T DO SO, THIS WILL BE THE END OF THIS AGE!!!"
The voice only caused more panic. The chaos increased and more people continued to run. Some fell on their knees and began to cry. Others began to curse at whoever brought this doom on humanity. In that moment, light beams shot down in an instant and killed those that began to curse - right in front of them their blood was splattered around the area, painting the land red in color.
'No! It wasn't supposed to be like this.'
"THIS WASN'T PART OF MY PUNISHMENT MICHAEL!!!" Nathaniel cried. He fell on his knees and punched the ground repeatedly in anger. His blond bangs covered his face and tears gathered in his eyes.
"It really wasn't supposed to be like this." He sobbed. All those innocent lives taken because of his desire. Little children were lost because of what he wished for. Everything was going to be destroyed because he simply loved a woman. It wasn't right, none of it was.
"Nathan." His woman spoke softly. She knelt beside him and slipped her hand into his. She wiped his tears and with the child in her arms she hugged him and buried her face in his neck.
"It's alright." she spoke softy, "I'm sorry for everything that is happening. It's my fault that they are doing this. I-"
"Don't say that. It's no one's fault that any of this is happening."
With a newfound determination, he stood up and pulled his woman along with him. He took the child from her and carried her on his back.
"Let's go on", he said.
With all his strength he pushed through the people. Not giving up, he found the refugee camp on the riverbank of Thaimes. He sighed in relief and gently placed his wife and the baby on the ground.
"Nathan-san!" Some children ran up to him and embraced him.
"Elle, Yukio, I'm so glad you're alright." He said as a sense of relief flooded over him.
"Nathan-kun?" another called him. A couple of people came out to meet him also.
"You're all safe", Nathaniel said.
"It's thanks to you." A young woman replied, "we wouldn't have been here if it weren't for you."
"Noelle-onee-chan!" A little girl ran up to Noelle, Nathan's wife, and embraced her.
"Ruri-chan!" Noelle smiled and returned the hug.
The others helped Nathan and gently placed him on the ground seeing his fatigued state. Uriah, a young man amidst the people there, gave him another overall to replace his blood stained one. He and Noelle were also given water to drink.
"Nathan what do we do now? We can't stay here for too long, sooner or later this place will be destroyed." Uriah said.
"Yes, I know. That's why I can't stay with you any longer."
They all gasped.
"What are talking about Nathan? You're one of us now. We can't just leave you and-"
"And what exactly? At this rate everyone's going to die! If I can save everyone by just going, isn't it better than letting you all get killed?" He asked, more of a statement than a question.
"Nathan-san." A little boy walked up to him, "are you going to really leave us?"
"I'm afraid I have to Ru'el-kun." He replied and patted the boy's head.
As a leader, he stood up and said, "The rest of you go to the second site I prepared. It's not to far from here and it's dangerous but it's still at a minimum. You can get there before nightfall if you go now. Hopefully by then, everything would've been restored to normal."
"Nathan." Noelle ran up to him. She hugged him and he kissed her forehead.
"Protect our child Noelle."
"I will." She replied in tears.
"Nathan I still won't accept this!" Uriah shouted out. The other people, both men and women agreed with him.
"Uriah", Nathaniel went to him and held his shoulders. "I also, don't want to leave you but I have to. You've been like a younger brother to me Uriah. Isn't it natural for me to protect my own brother?"
"But-"
"Please, watch over everyone. Look out for them. They need you now more than ever."
Uriah cleaned his eyes and nodded.
"If you don't get to the second place, use the ring I gave you. It's the last resort."
"Okay." Uriah replied.
"Now go all of you!" Nathaniel shouted as he left the embrace. They packed their few belongings and moved quickly away from the camp. All twenty-four people in number.
As they left, Nathaniel used a finger to draw a circle on the sandy ground, he stood in the center and said, "I am here!"
There was a loud bang. A bright light encircled him and a figure descended from the light to meet him. Nathaniel's eyes widened a bit at seeing the person or being rather, in front of him.
"It's been a while Nathaniel." the figure smirked.
"Salaquiel?" Nathaniel asked.
"Why are you so distraught? Didn't you know this was surely bound to happen?"
"Why are you doing this Salaquiel? I've already given up everything. What else do you want?"
"For you to die Nathaniel. You leaving is an insult to us and you'll pay dearly for that. You of all people should know the essence of the order of divinity. It's not so easy getting away from the angels and besides, those were my orders."
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at him.
"Orders? What orders? What do you mean by orders Salaquiel? Aren't you doing this for yourself?"
"Looks like I've said too much." Salaquiel replied.
Nathaniel's eyes widened. He ran out from the light and headed towards Uriah and Noelle.
"Uriah!"
Said individual looked back and saw Nathan from a bit far off running towards them.
"It's Nathan!"
"He's coming with us?"
" Oh thank goodness".
"No!" Noelle said, cutting short their jubilation. "He's trying to tell us something."
"USE THE RING! USE THE RING NOW URIAH!"
But it was too late. A large sword made of gold with pure diamonds around the edges, thrice the size of a regular human, was hurled at them. With inhuman speed, it passed over Nathaniel and headed towards the group.
It was bloody. Right before his eyes Uriah, Ru'el and Sae, one of the women with them were beheaded by the sword. Salaquiel, with sharp movements, took ahold of the sword and slashed it on the ground causing the land to open up and creatures to emerge from it.
Cracks first formed on the earth, something that looked like a hand came up from the holes which the cracks created. Gradually, it's entire body sprung up the ground. It's appearance was hideous, like a creature out of a nightmare. It had the body of a horse ready for battle and it's face resembled that of a human's. It had the long-flowing hair of a woman and it's teeth was exactly like a lion's. On top of its head it wore a crown as brazen as bronze and an iron breastplate on its torso.
"Eat." Salaquiel said.
The beasts went after them. It tore them limb from limb with nothing to spare. Nathaniel could only look on in horror as the monsters sunk their claws into their flesh and ripped out Yukio and Elle's heart from their chest.
"N-nathan-san r-run!" Yukio said before his head was bitten off by the beast.
"Onee-chan!" Ruri pushed Noelle away from one of the monsters.
"Ruri-chan!!!"
It bit Ruri's neck and ripped out her throat. Comrades were eaten left and right. There were no survivors. Janel, Uriah, Ruri, Sae, Yukio, Elle, Vanessa, Ru'el, and everyone else we're all dead.
"Noelle!!"
Nathaniel held her and his child close to him and wrapped his arm around them protectively.
"They're all gone Nathan." She sobbed, "R-ruri-chan, Uriah-san, Ru'el-kun, they're all gone."
"Why?! Why in the world would you do this Salaquiel!!"
"How pitiful. To think you of all angels would be reduced to such a state. The scene is kind of heartbreaking but I honestly don't care." Salaquiel replied. He held his sword in hand. He hovered over them and prepared to strike.
With a deep breath Nathaniel said, "I won't let you take everything from me."
Salaquiel stabbed the sword into the earth. In that moment, Nathaniel slipped a ring on Noelle's finger and pushed her and the child away from himself. A massive blade protruded from the ground and stabbed him in the chest, another followed and pierced him through his ribs. In a flash, different blades went through his body, all from the mouth of the earth. His jaw, neck, back, legs, arms were all pierced through by huge, scorching blades.
"Nathaniel!!!"
His entire body was covered in red. He repeatedly coughed up blood in his terrible condition.
Noelle's body began to glow. Slowly, she started to fade away from her legs upwards and she rushed over to him in his state.
"Nathaniel please," She cried, tears choking her voice, "please don't leave me. I don't want to be alone."
Her body continued to fade. Her legs were gone at this point and her waist was quickly going as well.
With the remaining of his dying strength, he whispered to her, "Noelle, *cough* You'll never be alone. I'll... I'll always be in here." He touched her heart and gave her a soft push as her body was about to vanish.
"Like I'll let you!" Salaquiel rushed his sword at her head.
But she and the baby disappeared completely before the sword could make contact.
"Dammit, they escaped! Well I've done what I was told to do. At least they survived, isn't that right Nathaniel?"
Not hearing a response, he looked behind to see the man.
"I asked you a question Natha- oh."
Nathaniel was already dead. His body lay limp amidst the blades and was soaked in blood. But what surprised Salaquiel, was the peaceful smile that rested on his face.
"If you can die with that look, then I guess everything is alright." Salaquiel said withdrawing his sword.
...
On the busy streets of Fujisawa on a Friday evening, many civil servants, young men and women are returning home after a long day in the office. It's a Friday evening so it's also a time for youths to enjoy since it's the weekend. Friends go out for sake, kids go to the stores with their parents, egging on them to buy them toys. It's lively, peaceful and calm.
Suddenly, A bright flash shone in the middle of the road. Skrr, cars pressed on their breaks, maneuvering away from the bang.
"What was that?"
"Is someone hurt?"
"Look there's someone on the road!",
"Quick, someone call an ambulance!!"
On that cool Friday evening, at exactly 7:13pm, a beautiful woman dressed in an overall with a child in her arms, appeared in middle of Fujisawa city.