Michael pondered upon his brother's state of mind and his mind began to wander. He knelt on the ground in the garden where Uriel had left him and stared at the lily pads. He never thought Uriel would be one to fall into darkness but then again, any angel in heaven, much like humanity on earth, were capable of falling to the dark and baser side of their nature. Michael shook his head. Father was good and so all of creation, including angels and humans, were good at their core but where did the evil come from? copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6ZPmOC8Xa
Certainly Michael could reason that evil was born when Lucifer rebelled but where did Lucifer learn the envy that poisoned his heart? For that matter where did humans learn it? If not from God then from where? Father is essentially good Michael and He is the source of all good, you know this! He scolded himself for even questioning the nature of his creator but the questions still nagged at him. copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8u1ROhPDQ
Lucifer gained the negative influences from somewhere. Michael felt guilt for thinking that Father would be the source of any negative influences, it was blasphemous for him to start thinking this way. It was how Lucifer and his followers started their gradual descend to their fall. Father was more forgiving with Michael then any other Archangel but even His patience would only stretch so far before His love turned into wrath.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFFAek23yv
Michael shivered. He didn't want to suffer under God's wrath. copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmCRcYFP7C
Father was as forgiving as He was loving and kind but He also had an explosive wrath. But, Michael reasoned, He wasn't wrathful out of some inborn hatred or spiteful anger towards His creation, no, He turned wrathful when what He loved most turned against Him, rejected His love and sought the path to destruction. That's what made Father angry and lash out. Lucifer's wrath wasn't born out of seeing what one love's destroy itself, Lucifer's wrath was born out a hurtful vengeance to maim or even kill whoever had ever wronged him.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iLvjDjBsW
But still, Lucifer's rage towards Father came from somewhere. It must have come from Father. There was no other source that Michael could think of. Father's anger could easily be warped into something much darker if present in another being but God Himself was good. He had to believe that. There was no way the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit were evil in any way. No, he mustn't think that. It it entirely untrue and inconceivable to him.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmC7WRrZVZ
His legs were tired and sore from kneeling for so long so Michael stood and stretched the sore limbs out. Why would he bother thinking on such things? Damn it, he was always thinking too much! Thinking about things that shouldn't concern him, thinking about things that bother him to the point where he's shaken and doubtful. It was a nuisance but it was a nervous habit he never shook off.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNm7Ez5kod
Michael wondered if Uriel would allow God to help him. It would be foolish to refuse help like that. If Father was offering aid then whatever ailed Uriel was serious enough to warrant divine intervention. But Uriel couldn't be forced into accepting Father's offer and that was frustrating to Michael. As long as Uriel remained stubborn, the worse he would get.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡXovIUOldqN
He put his brother to the back of his mind, not wanting to go mad from over-thinking and worry. Michael clenched his fists, angered by the helplessness of his situation. "Father? Can't you do something?" He hissed out loud. copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R9MY6Dq5y
God's presence came over Michael, heavy and smothering. A strong, overwhelming feeling of sorrow and worry coming over him. It nearly brought Michael to his knees with the weight of it.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAlMH0lNkK
I cannot do anything for Uriel. Was the soft reply. Michael frowned at how timid Father's voice sounded. It was strange to hear since His voice was rarely so small and fragile. While Father preferred to speak in a gentle and soothing tone, His voice filled the space and was always commanding, causing the hearer to halt and listen, torn between fear and awe. Angels were accustomed to God speaking to them directly but it still caused even the most powerful of angels to quake in fear. copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h9vZ3kkgK
"Father, you're unwell?" Michael whispered.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qCicBoP1t
It is Uriel who is unwell Michael, not I. Father chided, His voice slowly regaining its usual tone as He spoke. Thee knows that I cannot force Uriel into accepting my help. If he keeps pushing me away then he will fall like Samael.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡor3JeLJAy4
Michael felt a stab of guilt at the thought of Samael. "And then what?"copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzlu5lypFP
I have no other to replace Uriel. Thy army will be short of a second Archangel.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOfN6souiq
The Archangel gasped. "But-but my Lord, we can't afford to lose more!"copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGS2q7NaHm
I know that! The overbearing feeling of worry and despair gave way to fury, making Michael feel as if thousands of small needles were poking into his skin all over his body. I see how Uriel is! Who sees everything that goes on? Who knows precisely what will happen if Uriel continues to destroy himself? Who must watch this war go on, knowing the outcome but being unable to speak of it? It is not I? How dare you assume that I am doing nothing! I cannot force Uriel to accept my help and thou knows it! Put away thy insolence this instant and listen well to me my son!copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3WAx1V6qB
Michael fell back down to his knees and prostrated himself on the ground. "Have mercy Father! I did not mean to offend you! I'm listening!" He really did not mean to provoke his creator. He had no idea that his small question would cause Father to lash out so suddenly but he was regretting it and felt stupid that he could possibly die right at that very instant if God was angry enough at him.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBqbowEN1W
The painful prickling gradually subsided and Michael looked around, not sure what he was expecting to see. He was too frightened to get up and lay still for several moments, his heart beating rapidly against his chest.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZD624eQeV
Oh Michael. Stand up straight my son and brush the dust off of thyself. Forgive me.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡctZ84w9ZCA
The Archangel did as he was instructed, still shaken by the sudden outburst. Michael furrowed his brow. It was unusual for Father to ask for forgiveness from one of His angels or humanity, it was supposed to be the other way around. "Go on." Michael said.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡByb1JAxnnz
I cannot heal Uriel if he continues to refuse me, thee knows this already. I will not force him into something he wishes to avoid. Thee knows what I have promised to mankind and angels and I do not wish to tread on that promise.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBzYIB2Wrg
"Couldn't you persuade him?" Michael asked.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDKRMOoWO1
I could but I will not. It is not time for me to act and I must allow Uriel the chance to choose his own path. If he does not avoid his own destruction soon then I will be forced to punish him.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpzJrjjYHH
"I understand but please don't make this go on for much longer."copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1j7Z1I1X9
When has my timing ever been imperfect?copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQN3HAR6xF
Michael sighed. "Never."copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡ745HNw06vH
Then be patient and wait. Focus on the task I have given thee. Satan's armies are poised to retaliate for their defeat at Samaria so be ready when I give the command to attack.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3J7bI8TK6
"Thy wish is my command."copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33WQ6ErYKY
Good. Now go. Let me handle Uriel.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡES2JzQfzWL
Knowing he had been dismissed, Michael left the garden. His angels needed to rest and reorganize themselves. After the losses suffered in Samaria, Michael had no way of replacing those who had been lost. It was cause to worry. Lucifer had lost an entire legion and a commander to Michael and yet by the way Father was talking, it sounded as if he was able to quickly recover from his losses.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLP0S0J0Tu
Michael would have to face Lucifer on his own and slay the wretched creature by himself. As much as the Archangel would like to deny it, he and Lucifer were equals in power and rank. They were the first angels created and had always been rivals simply because Lucifer had always wanted to best Michael.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wx4NEIeCt
The task of defeating and, God willing, slaying Lucifer weighed heavily on Michael's mind. Hopefully, the victory of Heaven would mean the end of the countless battles between Michael and Lucifer. If that were to happen then Michael could consider part of his mission to be complete and he could allow himself to relax more. Maybe.copyright protection94ＰＥＮＡＮＡcglfZU5fu2
Michael smirked. "Me relax? Since when?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NGxSucAIO
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