Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Story of Fallen Angels ❯ Chapter 3: Thanatos ( Chapter 3 )

Warnings: Contains signs/actions of/and/or shounen-ai/yaoi (meaning boys kissing boys and doing XXX with each other)

 

~~~~~*~~~~~

 

Gabriel let out a huge sigh, as flew through the main gates of Heaven to go down to earth. As punishment for disappearing from his tutor and thus skipping his lessons the other day, he was to go about delivering messages for the entire day. He let out a slight whine, reaching inside the messenger's sac for a list; the list contained the names and locations of those he was suppose to deliver the word from God for. He was a little pleased that the first message was to a friend of his - a young forest pixie who lived in red woods.

 

Gabriel put the list away, and flew off to find the pixie girl. He kept himself well hidden in the clouds; although humans could not see him, Gabriel preferred not to fly any lower, since he was a little afraid of the human world and its sins. He arrived at the woods in a matter of minutes, landing on the earth with perfect grace.

 

“Pixie? Pixie Tia!” Gabriel called all about the large forest for Tia, wondering in deeper when he couldn't find her. The other pixies and other mythical beings that lived in the forest, heard his cries, and asked if they could be of assistance. Gabriel explained that he had a message for Tia, the forest pixie, from God. The pixies called the creatures of the forest, asking for their help to find their companion.

 

“Tia! I have a message for you! Tia!!” After hours of searching, Gabriel finally found Tia. However, the young pixie did not seem to be happy; she sat with her face buried in her tiny hands, muffled tears escaping her.

 

“Tia - Tia, what's wrong?” Gabriel came up to her side, gently shaking her on the shoulder. The dark-haired pixie looked up at him, silver string tears staining her slightly gray skin. She suddenly threw herself against Gabriel in a friendly embrace, her voice crying out in desperation.

 

“Gabriel! Oh thank earth! Gabriel! You have to help me, please!!” Gabriel gently pulled Tia away from him, looking her confusingly in the eyes. Her normally glowing purple eyes were now dulled and almost brown in color.

 

“Tia, what happened to you? Your eyes - these emotions, it's like you're…”

 

“Someone stole my wings, Gabe! Without them, I'm exposed to human emotions and desires! Please, Gabriel! You have to help me!!” She clung to him again, the young angel stiffen a little. It was unusually for a pixie to be this emotional. They, like angels, are immune to human emotions such as angry, envy, or hatred and desperation. However, unlike angels, pixies loved to play pranks and were very mischievous. Tia cried against Gabriel's robes, the blond once again pushing her away from him gently.

 

“I'm sure we can get your wings back! I will go back to Heaven immediately and inform the other angels! We will find them!”

 

“Please do it soon! If I can not get my wings back in 48 hours - then I shall die!” Gabriel stood shocked at Tia's statement. He never knew a pixie could die without their wings; he wondered if it was an older angel thing he would have to learn. Gabriel set his curiosity aside; right now, he had a friend who was in dire need of assistance. Gabriel carefully sat Tia back down on her rock, running a gentle hand through dark, thick short hair.

 

“It will be alright, Tia! I will go back to Heaven, and get one of the older angels - I'm sure they'll know what to do!”

 

“Thank you so much, Gabriel!” Tia managed to say in between her tears and sniffles. Gabriel smiled softly at her, before spreading his wings and lifted himself into the air. He made a quick bolt for Heaven; he'd hope to find Raphael as soon as he could when he arrived. He was sure Raphael would know what to do.

 

~~~~*~~~~

 

“Michael!” The dark-haired angel turned his head, spying Gabriel flying in quick from the left. The blond angel stopped in front of him, his eyes wide with panic and fear. Michael stared at him in confusion, wondering what could have gotten Gabriel so upset or worried.

 

“Gabriel? What's wrong? What's happening?”

 

“Where's Raphael? I need his help - it's important!!” Michael firmly grasped the young angel by the shoulders, trying to sooth him to calm down and explain the situation. Michael was probably no older than Gabriel himself, as he too was only the second Michael, but he was training to a guardian angel of the earth. He was to learn not just healing, but how to wield a sword and learn the art of combat for the protection of Heaven and Earth's righteousness. Gabriel tried not to stumbling with the details, as he explained about Tia's situation. Michael seemed a little suspicious - he too had never heard about Pixie's dying after losing their wings.

 

“It could be a prank, Gabe. I think she is just trying to cause mischief!”

 

“But what if it's true? That's why I have to find Raph - I'm sure he'll know the answer!” Michael sighed as he released Gabriel's shoulders, shaking his head. The blond gazed at him curiously.

 

“It is near impossible to get in touch with Raphael right now; he's been summoned to help with the Anointment Ceremony for the upcoming Sun Child - he won't be available for three days!”

 

“But she says she'll die in 48 hours!! We can't wait that long!!” Gabriel began to panic, delicate fingers fiddling nervously with the strings of his cord, tied around his robe. Michael let out a heavy sigh, rolling his head back in frustration. He and Gabriel were not particularly close, but he couldn't stand to see the other angel in panic. Not to mention that it annoyed him to no end with Gabriel's constant badgering.

 

“Alright - I'm not Raphael, but I'll help you...”

 

“Really?! Thank you so much, Michael!!” A smile instantly appeared on the blond's face, hands clasped together in pure joy. Michael nodded his head with distain, first requesting that he'd have a word with the pixie in person, so as to understand the situation fully. Gabriel led Michael to the woods, finding the pixie still sitting on the rock he had left her on. She still had tears streaming down her face.

 

“Tia?” Gabriel came up besides her, gently placing a tender hand on her shoulder. The pixie looked up at him, trying desperately to slow her tears. She looked past him seeing Michael standing just a little behind him; the guardian angel didn't look convinced, his arms crossed and his face serious.

 

“So this is the young Michael? I've heard so much about you!”

 

“Enough useless chatter, pixie - please tell me exactly what happened?” The pixie began to explain this time in full detail what had happened to her. She had only been taking a short nap right here by this lake. When she awoke though, she claimed her body had felt heavy and she was feeling emotions she thoughts she shouldn't be. When she looked at herself in the water of the lake, she saw someone had snuck on her while she slept and stole the wings from her back.

 

“Do you know who would want your wings?” Michael asked; he still wasn't a hundred percent sure if he could trust the pixie's word. Tia shook her head.

 

“No - I do not see who would want them. They don't give you any special powers.”

 

“A demon must have taken them for pleasure! Are you absolutely sure you didn't see anyone?”

 

“Yes.” The pixie replied, curling herself into a tiny ball which made her seem helpless and frail. Gabriel couldn't help but feel troubled by the poor pixie's situation, but Michael was still having a hard time believing her story.

 

“Alright Pixie - we'll help you find your wings.”

 

“Please hurry! I only have 48 hours before I died!” Michael stared at her long and hard, making the poor forest pixie cringe under his stare. Gabriel gently shook Michael's shoulder, a disapproving expression on his face. Michael only gave him a slight frown.

 

“Michael, please! How can you be so cold to her after all you heard?”

 

“Because you are naïve and gullible! Pixies are known for their mischief! What if this is just another pixie trick?”

 

“How will we know? Wait 48 hours till she dies? It will be too late by then!!”

 

“There is one way we can find out…” Michael began; his face was very serious that it was beginning to scare Gabriel a little. “We can also consult with Thanatos.” Gabriel stood shocked for several minutes, unable to comprehend Michael's suggestion. Thanatos was by far the cruelest of all demons in the underground. He was the devil's own `angel' that collected the souls of those who were tempted by the dark forces. He was merciless and would not stop until he has claimed the soul he wants. Gabriel finally managed to find his voice again, practically screaming at the other arch angel.

 

“Have you lost your mind!? Consults Thanatos?! He'd put me on his list in a heartbeat!!”

 

“His list is the only solid proof will have! If the pixie's name is on the list, then we will search for her wings immediately. However, if she has lied and her name isn't on the list, I will not waste time searching for something that is not of the utmost importance!” Gabriel started trembling; he had a few run-ins with Thanatos while doing messaging errands for God and some of the older angels. He knew the dark angel was not fond of him, and would use any excuse to put him on his list of the death.

 

“There has to be another way to know!”

 

“If you know of any, I'm willing to listen.” Gabriel remained speechless, glancing over to Tia who had now gone back to crying on her rock. He felt he was stuck between two fire walls with no way out. The blond angel let out a sigh and nodded his head, looking back to Michael.

 

“Alright - I'll go talk to Thanatos.”

 

“I'll head back to Heaven and alert the angels, incase you need defense.”

 

“With Thanatos, I'll be lucky if I even make it with my wings.” Gabriel gave Tia one last encouragement, before he flew off to find the dark angel to talk to him. Michael stayed behind with Tia a little longer, carefully watching the forest pixie with a serious eye. She occasionally would glance at him between her sobs, but nothing in her posture seemed to change. Still not overall satisfied with the situation, Michael gave her a warning, before flying back to Heaven to prepare two or three other guardian angels for Gabriel's assistant.

 

~~~~*~~~~

 

// AH! Of all the times for angels to be missing!! GAH! //

 

Michael stormed around the gardens of Heaven, irritated to find out that most of the fighting guardian angels were out on their own businesses on earth. He didn't know how long it would take Gabriel to contact Thanatos and meet with the dark angel, and he had no guarantee he would find the other angels in time to help the blond if he needed help. Michael grumbled slightly to himself again, not noticing Raphael as he stormed past him.

 

“Michael, wait for a second?”

 

“Not now Raphael, I'm not in the mo-” Michael paused in mid-sentence, before swiftly turning around to face the slightly older angel. Although they were technically the same age, Raphael was considered to be older since he was further in his training then both Michael and Gabriel. Michael could only stumble, staring at Raphael with wide eyes.

 

“You! But you are! You're supposed to be!!” Michael stopped a moment to regain his breath, before trying to form a coherent sentence again. “Aren't you supposed to be at the Anointment Ceremony for the Sun Child?” Raphael gave him a sheepish smile, waving a hand causally at the question.

 

“Well, yes - but we finished a lot earlier than expected. I have high hopes for this one. Very efficient.”

 

“I see…”

 

“Now, Michael - have you seen Gabriel?” Raphael asked, not wanting to go into any further details about the Sun Child. It was a very touchy subject to talk about; very few angels were allowed to see the Child after what had happened centuries ago with the one Child, Sorin. Michael stared dumbly at the dark blond, the question not fully registering in his brain.

 

“Gabriel - have you seen him? The other angels tell me that he was looking for me.”

 

“Uh - Gabriel is fine, really!” A wide, but uneasy smile spread across the dark-haired angel's face, as answered. He didn't want to worry Raphael seeing that he was Gabriel's best friend; he had a feeling the older angel would not be too pleased with him if he found out that Michael had sent Gabriel to his impeding doom with death itself. Raphael eyed him curiously; rarely anyone could get away with lying to him, probably why Gabriel never told a lie to anyone because of him. Michael began to feel unease, clasping his hands together, ready to ask for pardon from Raphael once he was asked to explain.

 

“Michael - what is happening? Where is Gabriel?” The gentle smile that was always present of Raphael's face had thinned to a small line, his dark blue eyes that were usually warm and inviting became hard and piercing. He crossed his arms over his chest, staring Michael down as he waited for an answer. Michael gulped, clasping his hands tighter as he meekly squeaked out his reply.

 

“I - sent him to see Thanatos?”

 

“… YOU WHAT?!”

 

~~~~*~~~~

 

Gabriel started pacing among the rocks. He wasn't sure if he was glad that he was by the ocean or not; Thanatos was in the underworld when Gabriel got in touch with him, and he didn't sound happy to be disturbed during his relaxing period. The blond gripped the side of his head in panic; he worried that Thanatos would blow his head off for just a little pixie - correction, he knew Thanatos would. Now, although it never seemed like it, Thanatos was extremely patient; he could wait years to torture a soul before he decides to bring it to sin and take it. Gabriel was special though. From their first encounter, the young angel had managed to do the impossible - he managed to piss Thanatos off to no end. Gabriel is still unsure of how he did, but he did and he knew the dark angel was out to get him, and would use any excuse to put his name on the death list. Gabriel's pacing quickened the longer it took for the dark angel to arrive.

 

// Maybe if I run now I can avoid this - but if I do run and he shows up, it'll just add all the more reason to get me on his list! //

 

Gabriel whimpered at his dilemma, which didn't last long as the sea exploded upwards to the bright sky which had turned slightly dark. Gabriel meeped, tensing his whole body and dared not look to the water as it began to fall back down in drops. He was shaking, hearing the light flutter of wings and feeling the foreboding air of death and evil all in one. He gulped, feeling a presence coming very close behind him, a chilling breath against his ear as Thanatos whispered in it.

 

“Hello Gabriel.” Gabriel jumped a foot in the air, letting out a somewhat childish sounding scream; Thanatos laughed at his reaction. He found so much pleasure in scaring the poor angel he almost didn't want to drag Gabriel to Hell. Gabriel finally turned to face him, his bright blue eyes were wider then usual, his expression looking like a helpless mouse stuck in a corner with a cat about to eat it.

 

“H-h-he-hello…”

 

“So - care to explain why, pray-tell, you interrupted my afternoon off?” Thanatos asked fixing his gaze on his nails, a gesture he knew made Gabriel nervous. The young angel swallowed his words hard, fiddling with his fingers out of nervousness.

 

“Um - I - I wanted to… to…”

 

“Will you just spit it out already?! You're wearing my patience as it is!!”

 

“I - I wanted to know if there's a name on - your - list?” Gabriel squeaked the last part of his sentence out, making small whimpering noises as he bit down on his lower lip. Thanatos glanced up at him, giving the angel his trademark hard stare; the poor thing looked ready to faint. It took whatever will power Thanatos had not to smirk.

 

“And just who is so important that you have to know?”

 

“A - Forest pixie - called Tia?” Gabriel tried to smile sheepishly, but he couldn't even force any kind of expression as Thanatos grabbed his throat, his fierce red eyes piercing through Gabriel's light blue ones. Gabriel grasped at the hand on his neck, struggling with his breath as the dark angel lifted him off the rocks. Though Thanatos showed nothing but anger and irritation on the outside, he was laughing on the inside. Even if he didn't mean half of his threats, he enjoyed torturing the young angel to no end. He loved nothing more then seeing those delicate features twist with fear whenever he spoke, or pain whenever he touched him. How many nights, Thanatos wondered, did he spend fantasizing of ways to make Gabriel tremble at the mere mention of him, he never counted.

 

“That's it?!” He demanded in the most forceful voice he could muster, not once releasing his hold around the young angel's neck.

 

“You dragged me from the underworld to the surface just so you could ask me if a common pixie was on my list!?! You're braver than I thought, Gabriel.” He tightened his hold just a little to make Gabriel feel suffocated, but not enough to completely cut off his air. He wasn't sure how much longer he could hide his smirk over the pleasure he was deriving from this, but it seemed he wouldn't have to as another voice caught his attention.

 

“Let him go!!” Thanatos lazily gazed to the far left, letting out a scowl as he saw Raphael approaching fast. He released his hold on Gabriel's throat, the blond dropping to the ground in a terrified bundle of nerves, trying to regain his breath. Raphael stopped only a moment to glare at the dark angel, before kneeling down besides the younger angel, trying to help him to his feet.

 

“Are you alright, Gabriel?” Gabriel couldn't answer; he nodded his head meekly, clinging to Raphael's robes as the dark blond stepped in front of him. He faced Thanatos with a heavy stare, the dark angel crossing his arms staring indifferent at them.

 

“So it's the boyfriend to the rescue - how typical.”

 

“Unlike you and your demons, we know are boundaries! Gabriel is a friend in need; it is only duty that I should protect him.”

 

“Say it however you want; I still say you're the boyfriend.” A dark blond brow twitched a little, but Raphael wasn't about to let Thanatos get to him. The dark angel only smirked, uncrossing his arms to place behind his head.

 

“I have no business with you anyways - just with the little one here.” Gabriel whimpered from behind Raphael, clinging to his robes tighter.

 

“If you `business' includes murdering him, then it involves me! Leave him be, Thanatos and return back to that vile pit of darkness you call home!!”

 

“Fine, but one more thing before I go - to satisfy the young's one curiosity,” Raphael looked a little puzzled, glancing back to Gabriel hiding behind him. Thanatos continued, “The pixie, Tia, is not on my list, Gabriel…” There was a brief moment of relief for Gabriel, but the unsightly smirk that suddenly spread across the dark angel's lips frightened him.

 

“But you are…” Before either of them could react, Thanatos had disappeared back into the sea to find Hell's entrance, only his laughter echoing in their presence. Raphael stood shocked for several minutes as the news sank in, slowly glancing to Gabriel, a gentle hand reaching for his shoulder.

 

“Gabriel…” The young blond stood absolutely petrified, slowly turning his head to face Raphael eye to eye. Tears began to swell in bright blue eyes, and slowly rolled down his cheeks.

 

Tsuzuki-

 

Yes, well - we are beginning to get deeper into Gabriel's memories of when he is about to fall. Next chapter we should be coming out of his flashback, and you'll all hopefully have a better understanding of the first chapter (well, one can hope can she not?).

 

Emotional_Hikari