Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Story of Fallen Angels ❯ Chapter 4: The Start of A New ( Chapter 4 )

Okay, I'm back with a new chapter - not getting much interest, am I? Well, I'll keep going though (even if the lack of response is seriously driving my creativity down the drain - weeps- ). Anyways - long chapter this time, so I hope you all have time on your hands and are bored! XD

 

Warnings: Will contain hints/contents of yaoi/shounen-ai - meaning boys kissing/doing it with other boys!

 

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Raphael leaned against the wall, glancing over at the hour glass next to him for what was probably the 10th time in the last hour - and it was also probably the only thing left in the room that hadn't been broken in Gabriel's panicked state. The poor blond angel was scared out of his mind, that the second Raphael got Gabriel to his room he started screaming and began throwing things all over the place. Raphael glanced at the hour glass again, tapping his fingers.

Where is he?

Raphael had immediately sent for Michael once they returned to Heaven; there was much that needed explaining, and Gabriel was in no state of talking right now. The dark blond crossed his arms, leaning his head back against the wall as a heavy sigh escaped his lips. Finally, the curtains to Gabriel's room parted, Michael stepping in and almost stepped out of the mess if an angry Raphael had not grabbed him.

“Michael, you have some explaining to do!”

“Maybe I should come back later - Gabriel looks like he's redecorating.”

“How can you joke at a time like this?! He is acting like this because of your idea!!” A guilty look showed on Michael's face, glancing over to where Gabriel was standing. The young blond was standing still in the middle of his room, a circle of a mess around his feet. Gabriel stood there for several minutes, his tears filling the silence that had suddenly fell upon the room, before he sank to his knees, burying his face into his hands and wrapping his wings around his body.

“I knew it - I knew this would happen…” Gabriel managed in between his sobs; Raphael released his hold on Michael, going over to the younger angel's side. He carefully pulled Gabriel's wings out of the way, gently placing his hands under his chin, making the blond look up at him.

“Shhh - it will be alright, Gabriel. I promise I won't let Thanatos take you!” Raphael said soothingly, gently wiping away the tears with his thumb. Gabriel sniffed, moving his head away from the darker blond's hands as he wiped his own tears. Michael scratched the side of his head; he couldn't help but feel guilty that he had gotten Gabriel's name on Thanatos list. He thought long and hard for a way to go around this, before it finally struck him - they had their own angel of death as well.

“Wait - I think we can work around this!” Raphael and Gabriel looked up at Michael when he spoke, Gabriel's eyes full of hope at the mention that he might be able to escape Thanatos' grasp.

“How do we do that?”

“Thanatos is the death of hell - but we have our own Angel of Death, right?”

“You're not suggesting we see Azrael?” Raphael asked with slight distain. Michael frowned a little, placing his hands on his hips. Though it was rare for Raphael to dislike another angel, he had made it distinctively clear that he was not too fond of Azrael at all. Michael moved to grab Gabriel firmly by the hand, helping the blond angel stand to his feet and dragged him off to see Azrael. Raphael let out a frustrated hum, following after them.

“I really don't want to see him!”

“Azrael is not so bad - he's better then Thanatos, that's one thing for sure!” Raphael only hmpfed, flying along side with them till they finally arrived at Azrael's place. They landed softly on the angel's doorsteps, Michael pushing open the large wooden doors that led to Azrael's area of Heaven. Raphael and Gabriel followed behind Michael as he led them deeper into Azrael's lair, calling out for the angel as they walked. They finally found Azrael in his sitting room, a bound book in his hand.

“Azrael!” Azrael looked up from his book, glancing to Michael's call. A slight grin came across his face, which quickly turn to a scowl when he noticed Raphael appear from the shadows as well. Raphael gave the same look back, crossing his arms over his chest. Azrael put his book down on the arm of his chair, giving the three angels his full attention.

“Can I help you, Michael? And please tell me it doesn't involve - him!” Azrael made a mild gesture towards Raphael, the dark blond glaring coldly at him. Michael shook his head, pointing to Gabriel.

“No, not this time, but Gabriel needs your help!” Azrael blinked, looking past Michael and Raphael to see a young angel behind them, clinging to Raphael's robes. Light blue eyes were tired and slightly red from tears, an unusually sight for an angel. Azrael let out a sigh as he stood up to his feet and walked towards Gabriel. Although Azrael was an angel, he was an angel of a completely different kind. His eyes were a brilliant red like Thanatos', but they weren't as piercing or as terrifying; his hair was jet black and about waist length. Though the oddest part about him, would be his wings; Azrael's wings were not white, but black, a common feature of demons who were once angels. However, his wings were bathed in a constant fire, which never burned nor felt hot, much like the fire on the burning bush God had used when he first spoke to Moses.

“And just what is the problem?” Azrael reached a hand out for Gabriel's face; the blond tensed and jerked away slightly. Azrael withdrew his hand briefly before gently taking the young angel's face, making him gaze directly into his eyes. He gazed into Gabriel's eyes for several minutes before he muttered something furiously under his breath, letting Gabriel go and rushed back over to his chair. He began rummaging through scrolls and books nearby, before he finally found what he was looking for. Azrael pulled out a thick, large scroll, scanning the contents before muttering again. Raphael was beginning to grow a little impatient - something that only happened around the other angel. Gabriel released his friend's robes, slowly stepping front of Michael and Raphael and came up behind Azrael. Red eyes gazed into starlight blue ones, his expression hard to read.

“There's - nothing I can do about this.” Gabriel looked ready to fall to tears again, Raphael instantly by his side, a tender hand pulling away the hair from his face. Michael stood surprised, before going over to Azrael as the black haired angel put away his list.

“But - there has to be something!”

“No, once a name is on this list, it is near impossible to take off. Besides, the young Gabriel is in no immediate danger.” All three angels looked up at Azrael, confusion and puzzlement on their faces. Azrael ignored them as he set about tidying up his sitting area - something he had been meaning to do for quite some time now. Michael grabbed hold of his robes, the older angel glaring slightly at him.

“What do you mean `immediate'?”

“Gabriel is an angel - it's near impossible to bring an angel to hell if it hasn't fallen.”

“So, Thanatos can't take him?” Raphael asked, still keeping a gentle hold around Gabriel's shoulder. Azrael was silent for a long time, before he turned away from them and answered.

“Yes and no - Thanatos can still take him, but he would have to bring Gabriel to sin.”

“But I would never! I won't! I…”

“It doesn't matter - the goal of this isn't to make you enjoy sin!” Azrael stated harshly, still keeping their backs to them. Gabriel flinched a little under Azrael stern voice, clinging back on to Raphael's robes. The room fell silent at the statement, time seeming to pass by them although the room stood still for only a few minutes. Finally, Michael stepped up behind Azrael once again, cautiously grabbing the sleeve of his robes.

“What does that mean? Their goal?”

“Lucifer - or rather, Satan - doesn't just want another fallen angel. He wants a fallen angel that is still pure in mind and in heart.”

“You're not saying…” Michael began, but he never finished as Azrael turned around to place the books and scrolls in his hands down somewhere to organize later. He then headed out of the room, grabbing a long staff, that had a small wood knot at the top, a small clear orb in the middle.

“Gabriel doesn't want to sin - but it doesn't mean that Thanatos can't make him do it. Gabriel will want to repent his sin, but it doesn't quite work that way.” He walked out of the reading room, signaling the others to follow him out into a long hallway. Not left with much choice, the three angels followed after him, hoping to hear a better explanation than what he had just said. They walked down the narrow hallway only find out that it led back out to the rest of Heaven. Unable to stand the suspense, Raphael roughly grabbed the older angel's robes, a hard glare on his face.

“Will you please explain further!! We are all still in training and we don't fully understand the situation!!”

“Even if an angel is repenting, you can't keep him in Heaven. It's like trying to mix a mutt with a pure breed - it just doesn't work like that.”

“There has to be something you can do! Thanatos can't take him!!” Azrael stopped walking, the others stopping as well, wondering what he would say or do next. Much to their surprise, he didn't say anything; he spread his wings and took off to the direction of the 7th Heaven. He stopped only to look back at them still standing on the ground.

“There is nothing more I can do now - we will have to talk to the Father about this.” Gabriel whimpered quietly to himself, Raphael putting a comforting arm around his shoulder, trying to calm him down. Taking the younger blond's hand, Raphael helped him up in the air and headed towards the 7th Heaven - the seat of God. Michael watched as they began to fly off, before shrugging his shoulders and turned to walk away. He felt someone grab his armor from behind, slightly choking on the chain rubbing against his neck.

“You have to come too, you know!” Azrael stated, pulling Michael into the air and after Gabriel and Raphael. When they arrived at the large, golden doors of the 7th Heaven, Azrael signaled for them to wait while he asked for God's time. He placed a hand on the door, leaning his forehead against it and closed his eyes; he stood like that for several minutes, before he pulled away, nodding his head. The doors slowly began to open towards them, a bright light shining through. The others squinted, but Azrael remained unaffected, signaling for Michael and Raphael to follow him. Gabriel moved to follow after them as well, but Azrael held his staff out in front of him, shaking his head and moved on with the other two angels.

Gabriel watched his friends walked into the light, spying Raphael giving him one last look before the doors fell shut. Unsure of how long they would be, Gabriel sat in a small corner, bringing his knees to his chest and burying his face in his arms, and waited for their return.

 

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Gabriel wasn't sure how long he had sat there, curled in a little ball, but night had begun to fall. The Heavens were lit as always with thousands of candles, giving the clouds a Holy aura. There was rarely any activity going on around the 7th Heaven, so Gabriel was left in peace; he didn't have to explain himself to other angels about his appearance. He buried his face back into his knees, trying to keep the tears from falling again.

The doors clicked open, Gabriel lifting his head up to see light shining through the small opening, three shadowy figures stepping out through the doors. Gabriel stood to his feet immediately upon spying Raphael, running towards the older angel. Raphael held an arm out gentle as Gabriel pounced him slightly, face buried against his chest. They were silent for severally minutes until Gabriel spoke first.

“Wha-what is going to happen to - to me?”

“Good news is - Thanatos will not be able to take you.” Azrael replied, not looking at the pair. Gabriel's eyes shone brightly, without thinking going over and hugged Azrael tight around the chest. The angel did not look content though; he carefully put a hand on the blond's shoulder, giving him a gentle push. Gabriel looked up at him confused, unable to read the expression on Azrael's face.

“But - you can't stay here in order for that to be true.” He gently pushed Gabriel's embrace away from him, the young angel slowly collapsing to his knees at the response.

“What - what do you mean?”

“If you stay here as God's Angel, Thanatos will make you fall through sin and take you to hell. However…” There was a long pause as Azrael gathered his thoughts. Michael looked away when Gabriel turned to face him, unable to stare at the other angel directly in the eyes. Light blue eyes fell to small tears again, Gabriel jumping slightly at Raphael's hand on his shoulder. He faced the older angel, seeing a sadness he had never seen before in darker blue eyes.

“If God makes you fall before Thanatos gets the chance, there is no way Thanatos can take you. You would already be fallen and your name - off the list.”

…no…

“I'm sorry Gabriel… but…”

“…no…”

“You have fallen…” The words struck Gabriel hard through the chest, finding himself unable to move. He felt Raphael gently tap his shoulder, turning his attention to him. The older angel held a hand out to him, Gabriel hesitantly taking it, Raphael helping him stand to his feet. Gabriel didn't say anything, his long hair covering his face, making it difficult to read what he was feeling.

“Come - I'll take you to the main gates.” Still holding the young angel's hand, Raphael took off slowly, bringing Gabriel up with him as they flew together towards the main gates of the Heavens. Azrael and Michael watched them fly away, Azrael turning to Michael and hitting him on the head with the knot of his staff. Michael winced, rubbing the back of his head.

“Hey! What was that for?!”

“You're an idiot, you know that!” Michael pouted, putting his hand down as he watched the two disappear in the distance. Azrael gave him another tap with his staff, and began to walk away; Michael followed after him.

“I share the same list as Thanatos, you know; instead of going to him, you could have asked me if the pixie was going to die.”

“I wasn't thinking about you at the time - besides…” Azrael paused, the sudden stop making Michael bump into him slightly. Red eyes looked back to startling green ones, hidden slightly by long, uneven brown bangs. Azrael gazed at him expectedly, a slight grin coming to his face as he continued to walk on.

“Besides, you didn't want me to see you in a pathetic situation, right?” Michael looked surprised; he knew Azrael had a power that allowed him to see things just by looking into the eyes of others, but he didn't think it could be used to read his thoughts as well. Michael looked away, unsure of why his face was feeling flushed, and flew off in the other direction. Azrael watched him fly away with a blank expression on his face, before continuing on back to his home.

Raphael and Gabriel flew along through the candle-lit Heavens in silence, neither of them once looking at each other or behind them. They did not even a say a word, Raphael still holding Gabriel's hand, as he landed them softly in front of the gates. Closing his eyes, Raphael finally glanced back to gaze at the young blond one last time. Long bangs covered the young angel's face, but Raphael could see the tears sliding down his delicate face. The older angel reached a gentle hand for Gabriel's cheek, tenderly pushing aside his hair, and lifting the blond's chin.

“Please don't cry, Gabriel - it is not befitting of an angel.” Gabriel didn't say anything; he merely stared into Raphael's eyes, seeing the tears his friend was holding back on his own. Gabriel reached both hands for Raphael's face, gently taking hold of it.

“Then why are you crying as well?” Raphael's eyes widened for a moment, before becoming laden with sorrow. He closed his eyes tight as he pulled Gabriel into a hug - the last one he will ever give to the young angel. Gabriel held on to him, crying against the darker blond's shoulder, shaking in his arms. Lastly, Raphael pulled back, walking towards the gates and opened one of the doors. He was still holding Gabriel's hand.

“I will miss you - Raphael.”

“As will I, Gabriel.” They gave each other one last look, before Gabriel walked through the open gate, his hand slowly sliding out of Raphael's the farther apart they got, till finally, they were touching nothing of each other at all. Raphael looked away as he closed the gate tight, Gabriel spreading his wings and began his descent down to the middle world. Raphael banged a fist against the golden frame gate as Gabriel disappeared under the clouds, never to appear in Heaven again. He couldn't help but feel that he had been cheated in some way, that somehow making Gabriel into a fallen angel was not the only way to save him from Thanatos. He could do nothing - and it pained him the most. Raphael stood by the gates for several minutes, unsure of what he was waiting for, or why he was waiting for it; finally, he moved away, spreading his wings and taking off for his quarters. He felt something wet and fine slide down the side of his face, reaching a hand to gently wipe it away.

A tear? No - it can't be a tear. Angels - aren't suppose to cry.

“Then - why are you crying?”

Gabriel's words rang in his head like a thousand of Heaven's Holist bells, but far more powerful. Raphael stopped in midair, unable to stop another tear that slide down his face. It was followed by another, and another, till finally he just couldn't stop. Raphael fell softly to the ground, burying his face in his hands against the tears.

Gabriel - I am sorry I couldn't protect you!

Gabriel paused for a moment, not wanting to look back at his home, but he did anyways, his heart aching at the sight of the clouds. Though below, it looked like nothing more than clouds, once high above them, there was a city of beauty that no mortal will ever see until their death. Gabriel winced a little as he felt something wet hit his face; soon more of it appeared, falling from the sky. Gabriel only watched as the drops of water fell from the clouds, letting out a painful sigh. He continued on flying downwards to earth, however falling with his back to the ground, as he reached a hand out towards a particular drop of water. He caught it in his hand, closing his fingers tenderly around the drop, as it began to glow through his fingers. He held the glow close to his heart, slowing opening his hand to reveal the drop was now a harden crystal; he blew a gentle kiss on the harden drop, and turned around to face the ground.

This harden tear - your tear, Raphael - shall be with me always, so that you shall always be with me always…

As he neared closer and closer to the ground, Gabriel closed his eyes; the minute he'd come in contact with the earth's solid ground, he would be fallen, his form visible to human eyes, and he would experience the basic of human needs that angels were immune to in Heaven.

You are always with me, Raphael…

The ground began to fade from his view, the image becoming blurry and the light platter of the rain becoming silent. He didn't feel like he was falling in air, but something else; he felt surrounded by something cold and yet it didn't seem solid.

You will always protect me, Raphael…

He started to hear voices - screaming and shouting, but it was muffled, and it didn't seem to make sense. Then out of the coldness, he felt something warm; something strong and almost protecting. He clung to the warmness instinctively, feeling a sudden pressure in his chest be lifted as the cold, shapeless barrier around him disappeared.

Forgive me for saying this, Father - but I…

“Are you alright, boy?” Startling light blue eyes blinked slowly open, looking straight up into dark green ones. The warm tone in the voice was very soothing to him, the arms of his embracer comforting and kind. Gabriel only made small noises, as he drifted back into unconsciousness, faintly hearing the same soothing voice in the background.

“Hey!”

But I loved you, Raphael…

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Well - that's it for now; hopefully next chapter will help understand what is happening at the end of this one. If not, I will explain it at the end of the next chapter. Gabriel is coming out of his flash back after the part of him catching one of Raphael's tear drops. Well, more to come soon, hopefully.

 

Emotional_Hikari