Michael returned to Jerusalem and Gabriel returned to the country of Galilee that same day. Gabriel, being the faithful bearer of good and bad news alike, took upon himself the task of telling the other Archangels of Raphael's death.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4McuwKJ05j
The only emotion that dominated Michael's heart was rage. The Archangel did his best to quell his anger; after all such an emotion had the potential to lead him to sin, but the potency of that emotion was too strong to simply ignore.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCOvYIXTbG
Michael felt anger towards himself and his failure to save his brother, Raphael for dying, Satan for starting the war, Gabriel for not arriving in time to save Raphael, and Father for allowing such an atrocity of Nature to happen.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAux0c3s0g
There was an overwhelming sense of guilt intermingling with the anger. Michael felt guilt for his brother's death, for not saving Raphael from the awful fate of losing his physical body. Now the great healer was anchored in Heaven, unable to perform the Lord's wonders on earth. No angel wanted such a fate.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡy42KzzvjAA
Michael had bowed his head in prayer. Father have you forsaken us on earth so soon?copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7drDc9A6l
If he could, Michael would trade places with Raphael without any forethought whatsoever. If there was anyone who deserved death, who deserved punishment, Michael reasoned, it was him. The 'One who is like God' was the one who took life, the one who slaughtered millions, human, angel, and demon alike with little to no remorse. It was Raphael who saved life, who cherished life, who wept at the loss of life. copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQVLnWXqoY
Michael never showed such kindness of heart.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW3JGDjbWU
The empty, hollow feeling within his breast refused to leave. It all felt surreal. Archangels weren't supposed to die and neither has their Choir suffered a death amongst its members before. It was the lower Choirs of angels, the Guardians, the Virtues, Dominions, Powers, and Principalities who suffered death despite their immortality. Michael had almost convinced himself that Archangels would never die; they were chieftains, too important to suffer such a fate. He was wrong.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz100Ecafi
Michael knew he couldn't sustain this rage of his forever. He would have to shed the dark thoughts that so negative of an emotion brought. But not today. Today he would allow it to fester simply because he had no energy or will to drive the darkness out of his heart.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡww8rhwnfXM
Father help me I've grown feeble! I'm afraid I've broken! He cried out to the Heavens.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEIhopUHAQ
Like the loyal and dependable soldier he was, Michael carried on with his duties in the proceeding weeks. His anger had cooled somewhat despite having no retribution for what had happened or assurance of where Raphael's soul went. He wasn't human; he was an angel and angels weren't tied to their emotions the way humans were.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnqDnqhzBx
Michael thought about Ithuriel, the angel that had retrieved him from Jerusalem. The Beast obviously accused Raphael of immoral behaviour to get a reaction out of the Archangels, to get them to become angry with one another, but the Beast had severely underestimated the loyal bond that tied Michael and Raphael together.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡS730zlxWBu
The Archangel tried to convince himself that the accusation meant nothing and was untrue but the back of his mind nagged at him. What if the Beast was right? Michael thought. Were Raphael and Ithuriel really.......?copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP9r6xQ1er
No! He angrily shook his head. Now he was letting Satan's minions manipulate him! Even if the accusation was true, wouldn't Father had done something about it? Michael could very well ask Ithuriel himself but hadn't Raphael sworn to God that he maintained his virtue? Humans swore to God carelessly and never meant what they said. Angels, on the other hand, always stayed true to their oaths, especially if they swore an oath to Father.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQOitbJLLk
Michael felt alone in Jerusalem. He was surrounded by his angels, and humans but none of them ever would speak to him unless they really had to or they wanted something from him. No doubt his angels could sense the anger within him. The angels in Jerusalem, especially the lowly Guardians, avoided eye contact with him and spoke to the Archangel in a stiff and formal manner. Had Michael become so detestable that he was now hated? Had his angels lost their respect for him?copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDrlE0HbXi
The Archangel went outside of the city with a handful of his soldiers and killed several demons that came too close. He looked up and saw an angel fly over the city and land on the palace roof. It was Gabriel; Michael didn't need to look very closely to know it was him.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG8P8fmYgB
Michael felt annoyed. He dismissed his angels and flew on to the palace. Once on the roof he scowled at Gabriel. "What is it?"copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8rerUqaGb
"Spare me of such hostility Michael. I am not your enemy." Gabriel snapped in response. "I came here to speak to you."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYOWksW2EU
Michael waved his hand careless like. "Proceed."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkAt9JIvIY
Gabriel visibly deflated and looked to the ground. "Raphael will not be coming back to earth. Father told me. Our brother will remain with the Seraphs before His holy throne."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ687ynztNJ9
"Will we be able to contact him?" copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe8Nasg7vU
Gabriel nodded and studied his brother for a moment. "I fear anger has poisoned your mind."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QeDjom1U4
Michael snorted and turned away from his brother to look at the city. This action offended Gabriel who then moved to stand in front of Michael and block his view. "Don't be in such denial brother. Satan will take full advantage of the smallest sign of weakness within one's heart. I fear he is already working his black magic on you!"copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00c8zzH2nr
"I'm quite alright." Michael scowled. He took several steps back away from his brother just to get away but Gabriel followed him.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡblGk9RNqYi
"No, nothing is alright with you! I can sense it. Your mind is rattled with so much rage that you are becoming deaf to Father's words. He's been trying to speak to you!"copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡk08zDrX0tR
Michael gaped at his brother. "He has?"copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uSgDsQlud
"Yes! He can't get through to you because you have pushed Him away! Of all people!"copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGzt0IkN8j
Michael put a hand to his mouth, suddenly feeling ashamed of himself. Poor Father! The Archangel remained silent so Gabriel continued talking. "You are questioning Raphael's honour. Father has revealed that much to me as well. What vicious pack of lies did the Beast speak of?"copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tke3XG0Xa
The Archangel removed his hand from his mouth and looked to Gabriel. "It said that Raphael and one of his angels were lovers."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2ELjid9DI
Gabriel reeled back. "That's ridiculous! Raphael and his angels were pure."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡmroWUpFecO
"What if it's true?"copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡyihSwkQclO
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Even if it was, nothing can change it. It's in the past. Besides, Raphael has been sent to be beside Father's throne so our brother wasn't punished for any grievances."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡneQ209keiY
"Losing one's body is punishment enough." Michael snapped. He was getting angrier and angrier by the second. The thought of striking Gabriel was tempting.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFplBjKhyX
The messenger angel was right in Michael's face now. "Stop it. Desist in this childish behaviour." Michael couldn't resist any longer, he struck Gabriel across the face. Before the Archangel could react, Gabriel had knocked him to the ground, pinning Michael on his back. Gabriel pressed a blade to the warrior's throat.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56gmYMHPZ3
"You are forcing my hand. Don't make me hurt you!" Gabriel's voice quavered.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnitpjCJxV
Michael glowered at his brother and squirmed, trying to get out of Gabriel's grip. "You would relish the blood spilt."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuA7QcrBuZ
"Do you hear yourself speak?! Open your heart and mind to Father once more Michael! He will make you well again. He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz6PW5CEUB
Michael lay still at the mention of God. "Father?" He wheezed. copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxY01njD7Q
Gabriel nodded frantically. "I beg of you brother, for the sake of His righteous cause in this war, don't allow the darkness to swallow you. Raphael wouldn't want you to succumb to it."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPlaWcmnNQ
Michael had to admit that his brother was right. All aggression fled from him at the thought of Raphael's disapproval. The blade that was against his throat was taken away and Gabriel got off of his brother and sat next to the dejected Archangel.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmqubmAN0v
Michael sat up, his face burning with shame and humiliation. "I have behaved despicably Gabriel," He lamented. "Can I be forgiven?"copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI3oI4M1IU
Gabriel nodded. "I forgive you and so will Father if you go back to Him."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡShJerFqO3e
The warrior angel sat up and sighed heavily. "I should go and make amends with Him as soon as I can." Michael looked to his brother. "Who will replace Raphael? Someone will have to take charge of his angels."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrA5WMswzs
"I will until this war ends." Gabriel sounded displeased by this. "I have nothing in common with Raphael's brood; they don't take kindly to me. Rahmiel would have been the better choice but he's far off to the North."copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zb5oU9aWR
"Give them time." Was all Michael said. copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P8O3zuuox
The Archangels stood, bid each other farewell and went their separate ways. Michael glided on the wind and went to the temple of Jerusalem. In that moment, the building seemed so imposing to Michael.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3Zj8V5AsF
The temple bore the scars of war but the citizens of the city had did their best to repair it. Michael breathed several times, willing his heart to slow down. He felt Father would judge him harshly and going into His house would render Michael vulnerable, even more than he was already, to God's whims.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uFez38Jd5
After a few moments, the Archangel strode towards the temple and entered it, fully prepared to bear his Father's wrath.copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiUJ6YjAsH
A/N: "He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds" comes from Psalm 147: 3-6 in the Bible (King James Translation)copyright protection285ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bK7uT3Atv
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