Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Tearing Down the Sky ❯ The Four ( Chapter 19 )

Tearing Down the Sky

Hato chiisai

YAOI WARNING

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh.

This fic is dedicated to Mally-chan! ^_^

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Chapter 19

The Four

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The Angel Council Room was silent as the story was finished. Ryou was cuddled up in Bakura's lap on the floor. The demons had taken turns telling the story, and right now, Bakura was content to simply hold his angelic lover. Ahmose was standing silently, staring at the Angel Council.

"A member of the Demon Council is standing before us…" Solomon said, finally. "Concluding a story of epic proportions. What shall we do?" All of the council looked immediately to Mikado, who looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Uhhh… well…" He said, and then stood, clearing his throat. "Demon's or not, they have acted honorably, and risked their lives for angels. Malik, Ryou and Yugi would be dead now if it weren't for them. They saved them and returned them to us. They are outcasts among their own people now. Who are we to turn them away?"

"They are our enemies." Rishido said.

"But they have sacrificed much for their friends, who a week ago, were their enemies." Pegasus argued.

"We have demons here in our midst! Including a member of the Demon Council!" Rishido called.

"Umm…. Former member of the council." Ahmose piped up. Rishido glared.

"Please let them stay….." A small soft voice said, and the Angel Council all looked down at the angel curled up in Bakura's lap. "Please…." Bakura looked down as Ryou squirmed slightly, cuddling his way into Bakura's chest as much as he could. Bakura dropped his wings and wrapped them around his little angel, putting a shield between him and his lover and the rest of the room, so that he could quietly croon to the young angel, trying to soothe his nerves. Solomon watched this interaction in silent fascination.

"Guards." He said, finally. "Please remove them from the Council Chamber while we debate over this matter." He watched as Bakura stood, cradling Ryou in his arms and keeping the boy wrapped up in his wings. The group left the room. "Mikado… Join them."

"What?!" Mikado gasped.

"Go." Solomon said, gently, and Mikado's wings drooped.

"Yes sir." He said, and left the room. He found the group out front, surrounded by guards. He shoved between guards and approached Ahmose, who smiled slightly.

"Hello, Mika."

"Don't call me that." Mikado growled, making the demon chuckle.

"Please, please, please, please, please pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease…" Ryou was whispering as he rocked himself back and forth. Bakura blinked.

"Ryou?"

"Oh, please…. Raphael, please hear my prayers…."

"Raphael? Who is Raphael?" Bakura asked.

"What?!" Malik gasped, whirling. "Ryou, again?!"

"What's he babbling about?" Yami wondered aloud. Malik knelt.

"Let me talk to him." He said to Bakura, who nodded and backed away, letting Malik hold Ryou. Yugi, Seto, Tristan, Mikado, Joey and Otogi knelt.

"Ryou, you can't speak their names..." Malik hissed, but Ryou simply hugged his knees to his chest and rocked himself back and forth.

"Raphael, please… Raphael, please…. Raphael, please…." Ryou chanted.

"Ryou!! Not in the presence of demons!!!" Mikado gasped.

"Who is Raphael?" Bakura demanded, again.

"Raphael…" Ahmose mused. "One of the Four."

"The Four?" Bakura asked. "Ryou mentioned the Four. What are they?" Bakura asked.

"The Four Arch Angels of Araboth."

"The what?" Bakura, Yami and Marik asked.

"How do YOU know?!" Mikado gasped, staring at Ahmose.

"I am one of the more educated members of the council. Or, former members, or something." Ahmose said with a shrug. He looked at his three demon companions. "The Angels of Araboth are the Immortal Angels that rule over the Heavens, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Metatron, Sariel, Haniel, Raguel, Anahel, Sandalphon, Azrael, Zachiel, Astaroth and Cassiel. And the Four are the Arch Angels of Araboth, who reign supreme. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel." (AN: If ya want the full story, see the note at the end of this chap)

"….. Oh." Bakura said. "So why does Ryou talk to Raphael?"

"Because he's a healer." Malik said. "Raphael is a Healer, so all the healers look to him above the other three. Michael is a mighty warrior, so we soldiers look to him. The Council looks to Uriel and the teachers and other angels look to Gabriel."

"This is treason!!!" Mikado gasped. "Speaking of the Angels of Araboth to demons is High Treason!!"

"They already know!" Malik said.

"No they didn't!!"

"Well, we didn't tell them, Ahmose did. Not us." Yugi reasoned, and Mikado blinked.

"But of course, they aren't real, right?" Yami said. "After all, Lucifer isn't real."

"Oh they are most certainly real." Ahmose said. "But Lucifer was defeated by Michael. Of course, the elders like to keep this from the people. And they have done so for millennia."

"So… The Angels of Araboth are real?" Marik gasped.

"Yes." Mikado said in a defeated tone. Their attention was drawn away by sudden gasps and murmurs in the crowd. Mikado looked up, and his eyes widened and he paled. "They're here."

"What?!" Ahmose gasped. He slowly turned and saw all the angels in sight dropping to their knees and bowing their heads.

"By Dante's Inferno….." Marik breathed, and slowly moved closer to Yami, Ahmose and Bakura, all who were standing, staring at the fourteen angels walking their way, their halos glowing as bright as the sun and their bodies surrounded by a glow. Each was at least twelve feet tall with golden wings towering over their heads, their white tunics shimmering with every motion. Leading the other ten were The Four. A stern face with dark eyes, framed by long wavy hair, so dark it was almost black, stood at the very front with a golden sword at his hip and a royal purple sash across his chest. Michael fixed his dark eyes on the demons, and stopped, simply looking at them. To his right and slightly behind him was a soft, kind face with shinning golden hair and crystal blue eyes, matching his sash. Gabriel blinked in curiosity at the obviously paralyzed demons. On Michael's other side was a sandy blonde with a hard face. Uriel narrowed his gray eyes at the demons, and gripped the hilt of his sword, shining against the blood red sash it lay against. On Gabriel's other side, bright green eyes peered out from under long wavy auburn hair with amused curiosity, matching his emerald sash. After a moment, the red haired angel stepped forwards and strode past the demons to where Ryou sat rocking himself on the ground. He knelt and reached out, laying a hand on the angel's head.

"Ryou?" He called in a deep gentle voice, and Ryou jerked and looked up.

"Raphael!" Ryou whimpered, and hurled himself into the Archangel's arms. Raphael smiled and held him.

"You have caused quite a stir, little one." Raphael chuckled. "Do not cry." The others watched as Raphael gently stroked Ryou's wings, smiling. "You're okay. You're home. What happened to upset you like this?" Ryou simply sobbed harder and clung tightly to the angel. Gabriel blinked and glanced at Michael, before also kneeling and stroking Ryou's wings.

"Don't cry, fledgling." He crooned in a velvety tone. Michael cleared his throat, suddenly, and the two kneeling angels looked up. Sighing, they stood and followed Michael and Uriel into the council chamber, followed by the other ten angels who gave the demons glances as they passed. The door closed, and silence took over.

"By the eternal fires of hell………" Yami gasped. "I can't believe that we're still alive."

"I don't know if this is a good thing, or a bad thing." Mikado mumbled. A few minutes later, the door opened, and a platinum blonde Angel of Araboth appeared.

"Mikado. Your presence is requested." He said in a regal tone, and Mikado nodded and stood.

"Yes, Lord Cassiel." He said, and followed the Angel in. The Angel looked back over his shoulder, and stared at the demons, then smiled slightly, and shook his head, going back inside.

"Uh… was that good or bad?" Marik asked.

"Cassiel looked amused." Seto said.

"Is that good or bad?" Yami asked.

"Ummm….. good?" Tristan offered with a shrug.

They spent the next hour in silence and all leapt to their feet when the door swung open to once again reveal the Angels of Araboth. They strode towards the demons, nothing giving away what they might be thinking. Michael reached out and gripped Yami's chin, lifting his face up to get a better look at him. Yami squeaked in fear as the Archangel turned his head to the side before releasing him. He stepped back, then turned and strode away, Gabriel following him, looking curiously over his shoulder at the demons. He was followed by Uriel, who stared at the demons for another moment before following. The other Angels of Araboth followed, one by one, leaving Raphael exiting the council chamber last. He approached the group of worried angels and demons and smiled slightly, then knelt by Ryou again.

"If you ever want to talk, you know I will listen, Ryou." He said gently, pulling his green sash from his torso and wrapping it around Ryou like a blanket. Ryou, who other than the sash was still only clad in a large t-shirt, hiccupped and pulled the cloth around himself, honored at the gift. Raphael bent down and placed a gentle kiss on Ryou's forehead, a green flash apparent as his lips made contact with Ryou's skin, before petting him on the head, and standing. He then looked at the demons and grinned. "I will be watching this situation with much interest." He said, ruffling Marik's hair before following his companions. The group watched him go, eyes wide and mouths open, Marik looking ready to faint, and Yami to wet himself.

"What just happened?" Bakura blurted, finally.

"I have no idea." Ahmose croaked. They all turned as the High Council filed out and faced them. Mikado, from half hiding behind Pegasus, gave them a smile and wink, which raised their spirits.

"We discussed this situation among ourselves, and were near to making a decision when the Angels of Araboth stepped in." Solomon said, looking at the demons. "And they made the final decision, and I will respect it. Ryou, Malik, Yugi. Welcome home. Demons…." The demons all shifted nervously. "You may stay for now, but you will be watched closely. We will begin to discuss what will be done should war spring up as we are expecting. You are in the custody of your counterparts, and under the eyes of Archangel Pegasus.

"Malik, Yugi, Ryou… Since you will have to keep an eye on the demons, you are being removed from the dormitories and we are setting you up in a vacant councilman's quarters near Mikado's place of residence. Relocate there immediately. Seto, Tristan, Pegasus, Mikado, help them relocate. That is all." And he turned and went back into the council chamber. The other council members followed, with the exception of Pegasus and Mikado. Yugi out a yip and leapt into Yami's arms, kissing him all over his face. Malik dropped to his knees, heaving a huge sigh of relief, and Marik slumped against Bakura.

"By the Inferno… I thought we were dead." Marik gasped, and Bakura shoved him off and knelt next to Ryou, who was still on the ground enveloped in Raphael's green sash.

"Ryou?" He called, and Ryou's wings twitched. Bakura touched his face, lifting Ryou's chin to look into his eyes. As soon as their eyes met, tears coursed down Ryou's face, and he hurled himself into Bakura's chest and kissed him. Bakura firmly wrapped his wings around Ryou and cradled him to his chest, returning the kiss with as much relief and passion as Ryou. Finally, they broke it, and Ryou rested his head on Bakura's shoulder, allowing the demon to pick him up bridal style.

"I love you." Bakura murmured, nuzzling Ryou's throat. "Are you alright?"

"I'm so tired…." Ryou whimpered, and cuddled into Bakura's chest.

"Then sleep. You need it, love. Just sleep." Ryou smiled softly as Bakura placed a tender kiss on his lips, and drifted to sleep.

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Okay, I had meant to explain all of this in chapter one but I totally forgot. -_-* Ryou and the other angels in this fic are lesser angels. Here's the deal. According to the Christian and maybe Jewish religion, there are four Arch Angels. First is Michael, who stands behind the throne of God. Then there is Gabriel, who sits at God's left hand. Then there is Raphael, who is kinda like the patron saint of science, medicine and healing, so Ryou looks to him. The fourth is Uriel, and he is the Angel of Repentance. He is also possibly the angel who wrestled with Jacob.

According to the Muslim relgion (I think) there Are Three more ArchAngels. The first is Metatron, who is possibly the most powerful Arch Angel, and there are hints that he may be Enoch (I think). Then there is Raguel, who is the Diciplinarian among the angels. Sariel, also known as Remiel, is the Grim Reaper, leads the souls to judgement, may have fallen with Lucifer, and may be a double agent between Heaven and Hell.

There are 7 levels of Heaven according to Islam, I think. They are:

1 Shamayim- ruled by Gabriel, curtain between Heaven and Earth

2 Raquia- ruled by Raphael, where the souls await judgment

3 Shehaquim- ruled by Anahel, where the saved enjoy eternity, and the damned suffer the eternal wrath of God. Basically our vision of Heaven and Hell

4 Machen- ruled by Michael, the Heavenly Jerusalem and the Garden of Eden

5 Machon- ruled by Sandalphon, Metatron's twin, and it is the prison of the Fallen

6 Zebul- Zachiel, basically, it is the "Angel University" For my fic, we may consider this the Heaven that Ryou has come from.

7 Araboth- ruled by Cassiel, and is the Home of God on his Devine Throne.

For this fic, I am calling all the angels mentioned above the Angels of Araboth, and this is where they reside. The Four are Micheal, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel and they are the rulers of the Angels of Araboth. They are kind of like the gods of the lesser angels of Zebul. If anyone reigns over them, (the one divinity, spoken of in chapter one, basically God) the lesser angels are not aware of this higher power. The Four are the most sacred, and they will not speak of them, especially around demons. To do so is the highest level of treason, so after this chapter, Ryou will really be in deep shit with the angels.

FINAL LIST OF THE 14 ANGELS OF ARABOTH:

Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Metatron, Sariel, Remiel, Raguel, Anahel, Sandalphon, Azrael, Zachiel, Astaroth and Cassiel

I hope this cleared stuff up for you, and if you read it all, GO YOU!!!! ^_^