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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiptvF3Xou
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6MRW5BDLv
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcYofhDVps
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1KYugDyd2
Michael had bowed his head in prayer. Father have you forsaken us on earth so soon?copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T8PL5UnJF
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoSQM88p3y
Michael never showed such kindness of heart.copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCzCA3SeC5
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFZpuKvp7e
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50CYRp60O9
Father help me I've grown feeble! I'm afraid I've broken! He cried out to the Heavens.copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGL7imbaBN
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRsghX0Nm8
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s9Eq03w0S
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzzrHSNS3o
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjg8zy6Alt
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnVS2lT6SU
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxtyYaqM3t
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJNsSn0YXm
"Spare me of such hostility Michael. I am not your enemy." Gabriel snapped in response. "I came here to speak to you."copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGJnzLIsRA
Michael waved his hand careless like. "Proceed."copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ8Qo70PU4
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5N7yFuyDs
"Will we be able to contact him?" copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡU58EsIpbah
Gabriel nodded and studied his brother for a moment. "I fear anger has poisoned your mind."copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx8Unw1omV
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG1gNzVh8z
"I'm quite alright." Michael scowled. He took several steps back away from his brother just to get away but Gabriel followed him.copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3FSH7A7jL
"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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5jxZH415q
Michael gaped at his brother. "He has?"copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy7YOUyKbH
"Yes! He can't get through to you because you have pushed Him away! Of all people!"copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVKZNs7oAq
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZvswvaAwf
The Archangel removed his hand from his mouth and looked to Gabriel. "It said that Raphael and one of his angels were lovers."copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tO8sD31oe
Gabriel reeled back. "That's ridiculous! Raphael and his angels were pure."copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡII9sIXVPlv
"What if it's true?"copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvuLY1g8BM
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDgdMJQPKf
"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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tYeWGbRvx
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL2Qx0RN9t
"You are forcing my hand. Don't make me hurt you!" Gabriel's voice quavered.copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx7RKUBBJl
Michael glowered at his brother and squirmed, trying to get out of Gabriel's grip. "You would relish the blood spilt."copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOOO2LveC0
"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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYMOPkPH8Y
Michael lay still at the mention of God. "Father?" He wheezed. copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJvjAgdbRX
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡxILmxO722J
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OIPDyasfi
Michael sat up, his face burning with shame and humiliation. "I have behaved despicably Gabriel," He lamented. "Can I be forgiven?"copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr1WKBdXN4
Gabriel nodded. "I forgive you and so will Father if you go back to Him."copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlNGHkuPmx
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpmhfZPps5
"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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡITwJQgl3d8
"Give them time." Was all Michael said. copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88uVObfj0C
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz2dRicHHF
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpyj9ozurN
After a few moments, the Archangel strode towards the temple and entered it, fully prepared to bear his Father's wrath.copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAV7vKiL3j
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 protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUTq7LIksq
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