The atmosphere in the room grew tense as the two brothers stared at each other, only thing between them was the deafening silence that made beads of sweat appear on Emory's face, they remained motionless. Emory tried to break the silence but found himself unable to speak in front of the two angels and their overwhelming aura.
Finally after what felt like an eternity, Gabriel broke the silence "Are you done trying to read my mind, peer into my soul or whatever your little trick does" he said
Michael still remained silent for a second but then walked over to the counter and leaned his back on it "So it is you…brother. I was just taking precautions that is all, after the traitors claimed the bits of the throne father left behind, they've been trying to get me. And they've tried everything, I had to make sure you weren't one of their…schemes"
"Still as cautious as ever. Well you can't command an army and not be cautious" said Gabriel as he scratched his scruffy hair
"What brings you here and how exactly did you find me? I was certain no one could find me unless I wanted them to…until now" Michael asked
Gabriel eyes trailed over to where Emory stood behind the counter and Michael's gaze followed too, the two angels now stared square at Emory, this made Emory feel uneasy so he took a step back.
"Of course, how could I have overlooked that" Michael said pressing his thumb and index finger on the edge of his eyes.
"It's not so common to find someone, let alone a human capable of harnessing Aether. I could sense him easily, he is like a beacon of light in the darkness" Gabriel said
"But how did you know I was here" Michael pressed further
"Simple. I didn't" Michael raised an eyebrow at Gabriel words "To me it was just something of interest, a human using aether but I simply decided to try my luck and test if you were in anyway related to it and here we are." he continued
"And you were searching for me why? I thought I made myself clear the last time
that I didn't want anything to do with any of you until I found father" Michael said sternly, as he gripped the counter he didn't show it visibly but one could tell he was angry.
"Though they may be brothers but these two definitely had some history, and I'm guessing it's nothing rosy" Emory mused as he watched the two go back and forth with words.
"You made it clear alright, you made it very clear" Gabriel clutched his chest as he said his voice steadily rising with anger too "But that is not why I am here. I am here because we want the same thing, I want to find my father; the creator, just as much as you do. It appears you have found a lead as to where he may be, and I'm thinking it has to do with the human child. I am not wrong am I?" Gabriel said, his voice regaining composure and calmess as he walked closer to Michael "Please, if you miss him half as much as I do, you must know how I feel. So what do say brother?"
Michael remained silent for a few seconds before speaking again "Okay okay but if you ever think of betraying me as the others did, I won't be as merciful as before" Michael said firmly, his voice calm but threatening enough for Gabriel to clutch his chest as he remembered an unpleasant happening between Michael and him.
"First thing's first, Emory come over here" Micheal called to Emory who had been silently watching the two angels trade words
"Yes?" Emory as he walked over to Michael
After getting within arm's length, Michael laid his hands on Emory's shoulder, Emory jolted as he felt what felt like a low voltage electric shock spread throughout his body.
"Done, that should take care of our beacon problem. I just put a limit on your body, while you're not actively harnessing Aether, you will appear like a normal human with normal aether levels" Michael said
"As sharp as ever" Gabriel said "And what again does this child have to do with finding father?" he asked
"The records, he has the heavenly records" Micheal answered
"That's impossible, the records cannot be here on this material plane so how can he have it? I thought we agreed to work together Michael?"
Michael remained silent for a while "I am many things, but not a liar Gabriel"
"But this, this is impossible?! Let's say I do believe you, why don't you just take the records from him, instead of keeping him around?"
"Well…there's a slight problem with that, the records is….within him"
"Within him? Now I know you're joking"
Michael shot Gabriel a look that showed Gabriel that he was not joking around and how serious he was.
"This is…"
"Impossible? You've said that two times now" Emory chipped in
"You…and how exactly did you get a hold of the records, who are you? What are you? Are you one of those traitorous bastards" Gabriel questioned Emory as he walked speedily towards him, but Micheal soon stepped in between Emory and Gabriel
"I will explain the whole situation to you so just keep calm or this" he said pointing his fingers to Gabriel and then him "won't work at all"
Gabriel soon calmed down but still had his eyes glued on Emory, like as if Emory was a theif that would escape he let him out of his sights. After Gabriel had finally calmed down and composed him self fully, Michael told the story of how Emory came into possession of the heavenly records, Gabriels face shifted with different expressions as Michael narrated the whole story, he glanced at Emory several times until Michael was finally done getting him up to speed.
"That's…quite a story" Gabriel said, a faint sense of guilt laced his voice as he looked at Emory "I'm sorry for my behaviour earlier, ever since the disappearance of my father or the creator as you know him I've been on edge. You've been through a lot in such short time and you're a child no less, to be suddenly thrust into the secrets of this world must be overwhelming"
Realisation soon hit Emory after hearing what Gabriel said, "being thrust into the secrets of the world". Two archangels were standing in front of him, in the flesh!, heavenly records, aether and battling fallen angels who want to kill him. Him from a few weeks ago won't believe what has happened and is still happening to him now.
"It's nothing much, and I understand your earlier actions, if it was my mother who was missing I would have done the same, if not worse. So it's all good" Emory replied Gabriel and smiled awkwardly
"I see. But this is still unfathomable, but it's is exactly something father would do, giving the records to a human" Gabriel said stroking his trimmed goatee
"Exactly what I thought too" Michael said
It was already 6:00pm and the sun was starting it's descent in other words, it was time for Emory to leave his workplace.
"Emory it's closing time, go home we will shift our discussion to tomorrow. If you see any fallen, first thing you should do is run, and if and only if that doesn't work, then you can fight" Michael said to Emory
"Really? Okay, see you tomorrow then and you too Gabriel"
Just as Emory was about to exit the bookstore, Gabriel called out to him and said "How about we grab some burgers, I'm paying. Thinking of it as my way of properly apologising for earlier"
"No you don't have too really, it's okay I promise" Emory declined
"It's free food come on, who says no to free food" Gabriel said flashing a little smile while holding up some cash
"I guess, okay then, let's do it" Emory said
The pair walked over to a diner not too far away from where the bookstore is located, the big bold sign of the diner spelt out 'Rose's diner'. The place was a popular spot for dates, hangouts and all sort is cheery things, people of all age could be found in the diner. Their food was always fresh, presented well and reasonable priced.
Emory and Gabriel walked in and walked to the counter to order, the pair gothe the same order of large cheeseburgers and fries.
"How about we sit and talk while we wait for our food" Gabriel suggested as soon as they were done ordering, seeing no ha n in sitting and waiting fo a while Emory complied
"So how does it feel exactly, having the all knowing heavenly records choose you as it's host?" Gabriel said, starting a conversation.
"Aside from the occasional battling with fallen angels and getting beaten half to death by an archangel, it's nothing to extravagant" Emory quipped, the two laughed
"Michael has always been a 'live by the sword' kind of person, but he means well trust me. Amongst the rank of us angels, he is the most caring believe it or not" Gabriel said taking a sip of the water he had requested for a while back "So Emory, I get that you really didn't have a choice with the records and all but you could easily have declined to help us out, after all at first glance we are the ones with something to gain and you are the one with everything to lose at the slightest mistake. I believe that everyone wants something, there is always a driving reason why people do things, especially humans. So tell me exactly, what is it you desire?"