THE SEVEN HEAVENLY CHILDREN

PROLOGUE

"GABRIEL." As the archangel heard his brother's voice, he immediately sensed something was off. There was also haste in his tone, telling Gabriel that what he was about to hear was something he would not like. Michael never summons him unless it is of great importance.

He appeared before his brother, making sure his face was devoid of his growing curiosity. His brother looked bothered and it was enough for Gabriel to confirm that something grim was about to happen.

"What seems to be bothering you, Michael?", he asked.

Michael's expression was foreign to him. He had always exuded an air of confidence and unshakable resolution. Yet, seeing how he reacted to this matter made Gabriel feel unnerved.

"Do you need my assistance?" He continued to push while his brother glanced at the Gate of the Divine Plane. It was as if his brother was expecting someone to barge in and create havoc on their plane.

This time Michael looked at him. "I have received the news from Azrael.", his brother started. "But, I want you to confirm this firsthand. I want you to tell me about the gravity of the situation." Michael held his sword instinctively, the powerful aura in him making the ground shake around them. "Go forth into the Serpent's Cage and see if what I fear is not going to happen very soon."

Gabriel did not hesitate. This was indeed a grave situation. Anything concerning the Cage is terrible news. "Understood. I will leave at once, brother."

"I give you our Father's protection, Gabriel."

He gave a small nod and descended into the Forsaken Plane. As the Archangel passed through the lower plains, his own glory created waves. It will take no time for enemies to come after him. However, it did not bother the Archangel for even a bit.

As soon as Gabriel reached the place, he was greeted by an echoing cacophony of wails. He saw countless souls. Every scream, both of anger and despair, filled his ears. This was much worse than what Michael feared.

"Such vile beings. You are willing to sacrifice these souls to weaken the seal of the Serpent's cage." He spoke as his eyes scanned the area. Millions of tormented human souls were begging to be saved from their suffering.

He went further down into the pit. He had to see the Cage to confirm the worst and when he finally reached the end of what seemed to be an endless pit, he was greeted by a number of disfigured, horrible creatures. Gabriel withdrew his own sword and prepared for the ambush. He was ready to fight. Gabriel might not be as skilled as his brother Michael in combat, yet he was sure he could prolong the fight until his brothers came and purge the place.

The Serpent's voice boomed all over the walls of the forsaken place. "Dear Brother," the demon hissed his words that Gabriel barely understood. "Are you here to pay me a visit?" Lucifer asked him mockingly.

He raised his sword against the demon, earning countless uproar from the lesser demons around them. Gabriel was not sure why Lucifer's legion still hadn't made any drastic moves yet. He was almost wondering if he was doing a great job trying to trigger them.

"Lucifer, we already warned you not to involve the mortal plane in this."

"Come on, brother. Don't be so cold." Lucifer kept his nonchalant act. Obviously ignoring what he said earlier. Lucifer accidentally held one of the bars of the Cage and immediately hissed as pain surged through his body. "Oh, almost forgot about that one. " He laughed dryly. "Are you here to join us, brother? You'll have to excuse this dismal plane." The demon motioned to their surroundings as if he was inside his own castle and not inside a huge cage. "We were not aware you'd be coming and paying a visit. Perhaps it would be better to inform us in advance the next time.", Lucifer continued his act.

He glanced at one of his minions behind him. It came forward carrying a metal tray with it. "Care for some refreshments?"

Gabriel stared at his lost brother in horror. What his minion was serving was a tray filled with human hearts.

"Vile Demon!" Gabriel roared. He just confirmed what he had feared. These demons were killing innocent humans, possibly not only for the cage but for their own twisted pleasure.

"Do not call me that!", Lucifer exploded. His poisonous miasma burst out of the cage, sending incredible shockwaves all over the area. Some of the demons around it were unable to escape Lucifer's merciless wrath, while a lucky few fled out of the pit for their lives.

The demon's crimson eyes blazed with barely controlled rage. That was when he noticed that there were still a handful of demons around him. Gabriel could tell it was his demon generals. The poisonous miasma around Lucifer did not seem to faze them.

Gabriel remembered how he had admired his brother Lucifer before. He was one of the angels that Gabriel had looked up to. A great leader, yet the intense thirst for absolute power had pushed his brother into the dark. The being that once resembled light and splendor now only mirrored darkness and destruction.

"Lucifer," he started. "It's not yet too late for you. Stop this already! Some had repented and were given a more lenient punishment." He said, referring to the rebels who were sent to the human world to redeem themselves. "Father has not yet given up-"

"No!" Lucifer roared in anger. "Do not mention Him in my presence ever again! He left me for those weak, feeble mortals who shamelessly bring Him nothing but disappointment!" Lucifer lost his composure. His wrath towards mortals surged to every part of Hell. "These selfish creatures brought nothing but violence to His world, who had brought nothing but destruction and death in their wake. Now tell me Gabriel, is this the race whom your father felt so much love for?"

Lucifer's intense power of hatred towards humanity was making the thick ice below him shake. This was only an indication that what they feared may come sooner than they had anticipated. The Sealed Cage will not be able to hold Lucifer much longer. They have to make a move now.

Lucifer laughed once more. "Remember this, Gabriel. It won't be long before I completely destroy this pathetic seal you morons came up with. I will once again wreak havoc upon the Primordial Plane and no one will be able to stop me this time! And you, Gabriel, you will regret rejecting such a kind offer from me." Lucifer grinned, displaying his set of sharp canines. "Enjoy the little time I am bestowing upon you, for once I come out of this wretched Cage, tell Michael that I will come for him first."

Gabriel refused to listen to the Great demon. He had to warn the others! He immediately ascended back into the Divine Plane where his other brothers were waiting for him.

"We need to move now," Michael declared after he disclosed everything. Gabriel found his brother more determined than ever.

"What do you mean, Brother?" Sealtiel asked.

"Does Father know about this?" Raphael followed suit. "What are we going to do now? The Human World will not survive another Apocalypse!"

"Brother," Gabriel looked at Michael. "Please, do tell us."

"What about the Watchers? We need to warn them." Uriel urged, referring to their brothers and sisters living in the Physical Plane along with the humans.

"We will be needing every available strength." Michael started to speak. "We all must go to the Physical Plane. Alert everyone, we will go on a mission."

"Wait!" Their brother Jhudiel interrupted. " Will we leave the Divine plane? What about Father?"

"Do not fear my brothers," Michael assured them. "Father has ordered this. The Seraphims, the Cherubims, and the Thrones shall be governing the Divine Plane on our behalf."

Barachiel raised his weapon. "Then what are we waiting for? The sooner we get this done, the better."

Michael held his brother's weapon down. "I am afraid weapons aren't much needed in this mission, Brother. We are on our greatest and most important mission ever, much much more important than any type of battle we had before."