Upon earth, Hell unleashed its fury, infesting Creation with putrid darkness. The evil filled the heart of Humanity and thus civilization fell into chaos.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWSi10H2Et
In response to the evil, Heaven sent seven angels each carrying a trumpet. Seven unremarkable angels carrying seven plain and battered trumpets flew over the earth, bringing with them God's wrath. The sound of each trumpet brought death from above which left humanity and demons alike swimming in the blood of their kith and kin.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡITSHr6SwNs
The first trumpet brought hail and fire mixed with blood that burned a third of the earth as if fell from the sky.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfrVGOPtRd
The second trumpet brought death to the ocean's creatures and a third of the oceans became blood.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5awocx6ec
The third trumpet knocked a great star called Wormwood out of the sky and poisoned a third of the world's rivers and fountains of water.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX5tEwzx3n
The fourth trumpet dimmed the light of the stars, moon, and sun.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RCrNigDL8
The Archangel Raphael took a look at the destruction and wept into his hands. "O what horror! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the the blasts of the other trumpets which the three angels are about to blow!"copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqd0XCcvJr
The fifth trumpet summoned locusts which tormented humanity, and when the sixth trumpet sounded, a Seraphim came to Michael. "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." He commanded.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkpMN4jnCm
Michael shivered in fear but wordlessly obeyed. He flew down from Heaven to the wrecked earth below and found four angels as expected.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCem32FjFr
The four angels were identical copies of the other in appearance and stature, each donned in silver armour with swords and daggers at their hips. The quadruplets were created for this day and had been in a deep slumber until now, awaiting the day they would fulfill their purpose.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwRFxPiKk1
The angels saw Michael and strained at the chains keeping them grounded.Their eyes, the colour of molten rock, seemed to bore right into the Archangel's soul.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1mCO9G7wi
Michael approached the first angel who stilled and simply fixed the Archangel in an unnerving gaze. While Michael was of a much higher standing than the four angels before him, he still felt anxious in their presence. They were killing machines, that is all they were. They weren't like other angels who could think and reason and felt some semblance of emotion. The four angels were true monsters of God and they were about to be let loose upon the world.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhUJDYMjhr
"Release us!" The angels bellowed.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJYBowqHgL
As soon as Michael removed the chains from the first angel, he vanished in a flurry of feathers and oaths to kill in the name of God. The remaining three were swiftly freed and vanished, brandishing deadly weapons, their very beings cackling with bloodlust as they gave triumphant cries into the sky.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtM55AeLIL
Michael, fearing the worst and not wanting to get in the way of the four angels, quickly made his way home away from the carnage. He joined his Archangel brothers and watched the four angels carry out the work they were created to do.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d3ZWHXI0f
The four angels ripped and tore through ranks of humans and demons at a blinding pace. They left litters of bodies and their dismembered parts in their wake.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKY9mnFN4W
Most of the Archangels and angels averted their gaze from the chaos below. The screams of the dead and dying could be heard and severals angels put their hands over their ears to block out the sound. Others merely grimaced deeply and felt a twinge of fear rattle down their spines.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNpkSvV7hD
Still, Raphael wept, consoling words falling deaf on his ears. The Archangel paced back and forth, refusing to stand still.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlQWlNDiwE
Samael and his angels were flying back and forth between Heaven and earth as fast as their wings could carry them. They ferried a multitude of souls to Purgatory before they rested, visibly strained from the work.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHowRKTwxY
Six of the angels with trumpets returned to Heaven but the seventh was yet to return. The heavenly host awaited the sound of the seventh trumpet with bated breath.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5LTqEolMG
It wasn't until the next day, did the seventh trumpet ring, signalling the end of the four angels' assault. A great storm soon formed and ravaged the earth, spitting lightning and hail. The crust of the earth began to tremble and split apart, creating great chasms. After some time had passed, the storm and earthquakes were quelled and all was silent.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG1QCmEgFb
Raphael's heart-wrenching sobs had been reduced to slight sniffling and the Archangel's face was streaked with tears. Michael went and stood next to his brother, putting a comforting arm around Raphael's shoulders. "'Tis your time to act brother. The earth and its creatures will need your healing abilities."copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdSjKJ3EgB
The great healer wiped his face dry and held his head up, trying to regain some dignity. "'Tis your time to act as well Michael." Raphael left Michael's presence, leaving the Prince of Angels to muse over his brother's sensitivity.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKHoD732tP
Compared to the other Archangels, it was Raphael who was the most sensitive. His compassion knew no bounds, he was willing to aid any human or angel in need. The healer abhorred all violence and aggression, vowing that his duty was to provide healing to injuries, not add to them. With his gentle voice, calm demeanour, and warm and friendly face; it was Raphael the masses turned to for comfort and reassurance.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡItwKj87YpN
Michael was found to be too intimidating to be of much comfort. Michael was called for protection, to destroy all evil creatures, to doggedly chase the darkness away. His warrior-like appearance was too imposing to bring ease to humans although they called him their champion and protector. Michael's piercing azure blue eyes had many mere mortals convinced that he could see straight into their souls. Of course, the Archangel couldn't see into their souls but he had no plans to reveal that to them. Let them both revere and fear him for the weapon of his Father that he was.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k02DLMGp3
One would assume that Michael would grow envious of his gentle counterpart, but this was not the case. How could Michael be jealous or envious of his brother? He loved Raphael and was in awe of the healer's abilities. copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2NZrr7utB
But no matter, Michael had more important things to ponder on than Raphael's character.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc4QWoZ4np
It would soon be time for the Archangels to act but they had to sit idle. Father had given them no command to advance against Lucifer's armies and so they would wait. Despite the death toll, they would wait; they would never dare to disobey the Lord. copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwJSymEl33
Heaven was eerily quiet. There was a great amount of restlessness amongst the angels, Michael could sense it. It was bound to become unbearable if allowed to fester for too long. Father had better make a move soon, lest all of His wondrous Creation be destroyed.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡol6blxCs26
The Archangel reminded himself to trust in the Almighty and not allow the seed of doubt to grow into a strangling vine that would snuff out all courage within him. To question, to doubt God was viewed as defeatist and outright treasonous among angels. It was acceptable, but frustrating, for humans to question and doubt what their Creator's intentions were, but not angels.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ni9efxdkV
Samael saw Raphael amble away and stood next to Michael. "Don't let doubt strangle a heart so noble." The angel of Death said as if he had read Michael's mind.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcrl40HIlL
Michael snorted. "What makes you say that?"copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK6TVrryUt
Samael laughed curtly. "If there is any soul in Heaven who adles his brain with nagging questions, it's you dear brother."copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYRX75dFix
Michael shot his equal a cross look which only managed to make Samael laugh. The sound was startling in the stillness around them but Michael found it to be a welcoming sound nonetheless; it was typical of Samael to be able to find humour in the worst of situations.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVJ2hO3Zxo
Samael nudged his brother. "Be patient Michael. We will act when it's time."copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk8Qd4iECc
"I wish I had your confidence and good humour." Michael admitted.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8haZei4sXn
Samael smiled and left for earth, his work of ferrying souls never ceasing. Once again Michael stood alone in the vastness of Heaven.copyright protection184ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyiJAzyDz5
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