Hate. Hate. Hate.
Mikhrizel reported such utter disdain that the Principalities feared that the multitudinous Archangels, and the hundreds of millions of Angels beneath them might lose faith in their great Seraph Kurozel, and follow blindingly towards that great light named Lucifer like moths to a flame. The repeated disrespect had taken its toll, and now the largest contingent of angels, the one under my control, was growing impatient.
They begged me to take this opportunity, to prove them all wrong, and to remind Him of why it was exactly that He gave use this role in the first place—for surely, there could be no more pressing information to bring to His attention than this!—and I was just the Seraph to bring it to Him.
The truth was that the seven dimensions that made up Heaven were bursting at the seams with discontentment. God had rarely intermingled within the lower levels, even before the creation of the Earth and its extended universe surrounding. Lucifer had gleefully filled that void with his own manner of brilliant planning and foresight.
Reportedly, some even began to see him as a form of God Himself. I could see the path that this inevitably lead. God needed to spend more time with His loyal citizens! To renew their faith, instead of focusing all His time and energy on the affairs of the human realm, or else risk losing control of the other seven realms that He created first!
So, it was with great purpose and resignation that I obeyed my juniors wishes, and gathered the Host of over a hundred of God's finest specimen. Dozens of Powers, tens of Virtues, a handful of Dominions, four Cherubim, their associated Thrones, and even all thirteen other Seraphim who would listen to reason were within our ranks, as we marched toward the inner sanctum of the temple.
A much greater volume of Principalities waited out of direct line of sight of the court, for fear of having their elaborate cloaks singed off by the might of His glory; ready to relay messages to the Archangels at a moment's notice. The entirety of Heaven held its breath as we stoically approached, footsteps echoing down the empty hallway.
A lone figure stood in the path of the great doors that marked the limits of His court; arms crossed, with six great red wings spread wide as if to fill the entire archway that towered for cubits above. All four heads were etched in an expression of not only exasperation, and mourning, but utter disappointment.
The Seraph before us was named Zeruel, and he was the first of us ever created, and therefore the eldest of our kind—The Arm of God.—and the only being who could ever boast of truly being alone with God. All the Seraphim looked up to him, and rightly so. Not only as our elder, who had observed the birth of every creature formed in Heaven, but the matrix of leadership was integrally baked into the very core of his being.
It was in his name, after all. He was literally created to be the organizer of all the Host to come after him. I often had cause to rely on his sagely wisdom in order to fashion my works in accordance with God's will. I adored him, and his opinion. We all did.
So, it was with a heavy heart that I stared him down, and approached the chamber behind. "Step aside, brother. We need to talk to Him."
"Oh?" he smirked, keeping the other many pairs of eyes focused on the crowd gathered directly behind me; as only one head turned to stare at me, with eyes half-lidded. "And why would I ever do that?"
I continued walking starkly forward, not missing a beat. "I have important information to bring to His attention."
"So, why do you need a small army to deliver this information? Do you think I am a fool?" the implication was evident.
I scoffed. "Why, None of us would ever dream of such apostasy! We are His creation. We only exist as an extension of His will!"
"You are blinded by proximity, brother; and you keep poor company. I see before me a collection of deserters and louts. Remand yourself, and I will take them into custody."
I could not believe my ears. "How could you say such things?! We are your own flesh and blood! You are no more different to us than by the knowledge of the other Heavens! So many of the lower levels are on the brink of collapse. Many of my juniors plead with me to intercede on their behalf, or they may take matters into their own hands. I fear that you have spent too much time in the courtroom to see the unfortunate truth."
"No, it is you who is blinded. I can see their intentions as plainly as my own thoughts. I know all their names, and I know their characters. Heed my warnings, any who dare approach this sanctuary. I will give no quarter. Turn back now, or not one of you shall be spared."
"It is thou that shalt be in wont of mercy! You stand in the way of my official duties. You will stand aside, or face the wrath of my jurisdiction." I pressed onward, toward the door, when he casually unsheathed his partizan; slamming its shaft into the ground right before my feet.
Sorrow hung heavy on his face, as he whispered. "Kurozel, Listen to me. You are making a mistake, by throwing your lot in with them. I will not be able to protect you, if you continue. Please, do not make me do this."
"It is my right." I replied, as shocked as any to hear the change in his tone. It turns out that he was not quite as impartial as God would have wanted.
"Then you give me no choice." It was with the full volume of his voice that he continued. "You think that God has given you the right to enter this courtroom, to speak directly with Him at your volition, but just as your duty is to record the thoughts of angels, it is my ordinance to establish the movement of the Hosts—even you, other Seraphim. My role supercedes yours."
He had never pulled rank before. Things were getting serious. I shook my heads, looking him in the eyes. The fear was buried right under the surface. A weakness, even in his impenetrable defense.
He never knew what great magnitude of wisdom Lucifer had shared with us. He couldn't have! He had never left the court, as his station within its walls delivered to him everything that he would need. "You are afraid of discord within our ranks, Zeruel. Don't you understand that this is the very dilemma that I am attempting to avoid?!"
"Stop—stop." He hushed, between gnashed teeth. "You do not know what you are talking about. It is not still too late to turn back. Send them all home, and I can explain things to you better."
"Oh, you know better, is that it?!" I yelled. "How can you be so sure?! From all I have seen, what Lucifer is saying makes sense! You would know if you ever read the reports that I had offered to you."
"He's playing you for a fool, Kurozel!" He finally turned to me in earnest. That got his attention. "You don't know the depths of his character!"
"And you do?! Admit it. You have always been jealous of him. I remember when Lucifer was first created. For silent eons you waited, knowing plain and simple that you were to be ruler of all of creation. Then, when he appeared, you smirked! I remember being impressed that this must be your thinking; 'that God has no need for an arm, and a right hand.' You hope to take Lucifer's place—that's why you need him to be your great evil! Step aside, or I will have to-"
He extended his staff, across my chest; pressing back against the path, as if to remind me who was created to be the premier warrior in all of Heaven. "You DARE accuse me of insubordination?! Lucifer is my superior, and I shall obey his orders, without question! It appears it is thyself who must be reminded of thine own stature."
His arm swung forward in a wide arc, raking the curved portion of the blade across the breadth of my chest, and carving a deep gash over many feathers. I flew backward through the air, and collapsed into a pile before the awed faces of my brethren. The opening leaked a white mist, and God's glory began to leave me.
"Seize him!" I ordered. He may have been the mightiest angel in existence, but we outnumbered him. "He wishes to overthrow the magnitude of Lucifer!" Several Seraphim rushed toward his side, manifesting long and powerful weapons of their own.
Even he could not contend against thirteen fully armed Seraphim, and he knew it as well. While they were keeping him occupied, I approached, and pulled on the heavy doors. "No! Wait!"
The brilliance filled the hallway, and every angel hid their faces behind their wings.
Michael stood behind the doors, right in the path of God's light. He knew we were approaching, and had called for his followers to surround us from behind.
...and there was war in Heaven. Michael and his angels fought against Lucifer; and Lucifer fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.