Uriel paced outside of Zerachiel's home. He wanted to knock, to ask Ophelia to come join him again, but he was anxious that she would think he was overbearing. He ran his fingers through his fire-red hair, trying to gather his senses. He knew that the Seraphim was supposed to be out at Jeremiel's home for Raguel's celebration, and worried it was improper to approach Ophelia without her master home.
Uriel debated his choices, and decided it was best to wait until Zerachiel was home to give his permission. He turned away from the house, and heard a quiet sigh from the rooftop. Spinning on his heels, the messenger faced the Seraphim's home, seeing Zerachiel perched forlornly next to the chimney. He stepped between the realms, appearing next to the disconsolate man.
"Good evening, Seraphim Zer-"
"What's so good about it?" Zerachiel leaned his head against the chimney, using it to support himself.
"I…I do not know. What's troubling you?" Uriel felt like he may be overstepping his boundaries, but he also could tell the Seraphim needed a friend as well.
"I'm free from Azrael right now, but at what cost? He and his brother abducted Remiel. Rem accidentally mentioned my Brother. The Twins insisted that the Ruler had decreed that anyone who mentioned him by name was to be punished. We tried to hold them off, but Orion stole Emilia and Samael threw a knife through Gabriel's wing. That was all they needed to get through to Rem, and that was the last we'd seen of him." Zerachiel bashed his head against the bricks of the chimney, trying to turn his internal pain external.
"Orion took Emilia?" Uriel inhaled sharply, knowing how much she meant to Gabriel.
"Raguel found him outside the library. She insisted that he let Orion go. Something about a knight's honor, and protecting women from harm. Raguel didn't stay long, he just told me Emilia was found and that she was safe. I guess he saw Samael's knife before he threw it at Gabriel, and took her away from the gathering before she could get hurt. I guess I'm grateful he did it, because Emilia didn't see the blade go through her husband's wing."
"Where did the Twins take Remiel?" Uriel wrapped his wings around his body, trying to comfort himself.
"Raguel and Jeremiel were looking for Emilia. Raphael and I were supposed to be looking for Remiel. I came here instead. I know they've taken him to the Ruler to be punished, and if Raphael or I go there, Rem's punishment will be ours too." Zerachiel leaned forward, crossing his arms over his bent knees, resting his chin on his arms sadly.
"Would you like me to go find Remiel for you?"
"The offer is appreciated, but I know the Archs will bring him back eventually, after whatever the Ruler does to him. Go get Ophelia. I know that is what you really want to do."
Uriel sputtered. "H-how, w-what do you mean? I couldn't do that right now!"
Zerachiel lifted his head off his arms, and turned to look at the messenger angel, one silver eyebrow raised and a small smirk flirting with his lips. "I've been up here a while. I watched you approach the door and back away from it no less than six times. I heard you talking to yourself about whether or not it was a good idea. Go get her. If anyone in this damned Kingdom deserves happiness, it's you two. And don't fret about my permission. Consider it yours from here on out. I know you'll take care of our sweet Ophelia."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Raphael stepped between the realms, appearing outside of the Great Hall. Bone-chilling screams came from behind the closed doors, and he immediately knew he had found his abducted Brother. He took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for the worst, and pushed the door open.
The Ruler sat in His Throne, smugly watching the display before Him. The Twin Archs, along with a black haired Arch and a red haired Arch, surrounded Remiel, who knelt on all fours. The Archangels turned their attention to Raphael as he boldly made his way into the Great Hall, daring to approach the Ruler.
Bowing, his wings spread, Raphael waited for the Ruler to allow him to rise. The screams from his Brother behind him nauseated him, but the Seraphim refused to allow emotions to cloud his mind and prevent him from discovering what was going on.
After allowing Raphael to suffer the pain of keeping his wings spread in the deep bow, and the emotional agony of hearing Remiel's screams, the Ruler finally addressed the Seraphim. "Rise, Seraphim Raphael. You have a lot of bravery, coming here in My presence this evening. What brings you to Me?"
"Good evening, Mighty Ruler. I come in search of my Brother. The Twin Archs had taken him after his mistake at Raguel's celebration. I do not question Your decision to punish him, I am just here to bring Remiel home."
Hearing that Raphael was not wanting to argue, but simply just wanting to take Remiel out of His sight, the Ruler sat back in His throne. "Take him away, Seraphim Raphael. I grow tired of your Brother anyhow. Azrael, Azazel, Samael, Zadkiel, step away from Remiel. I assume that he has learned that My word is law, and that the Fallen are not to be mentioned by name."
At the Ruler's command, the four Archangels moved away from Remiel, whose screams had subsided to gasping whimpers. Raphael looked horrified at his Brother as he saw that Remiel's wings were stripped bare, the feathers pooled around his hands and knees. The fragile membranes that made up his wings were bleeding and bruised, and Remiel's entire body shook from the trauma. Raphael swallowed hard, blinking back his tears, and lifted Remiel, supporting him across his arms. He stepped between the realms, taking his weak and trembling older Brother back to the waiting Seraphim at Jeremiel's home.