CHRONICLES OF THE FOURTH HORSEMAN

WE ARE WHO WE ARE.

"No Michael!," i finally retorted.He looked at me with the almighty soldier look and for a moment i thought he was about to take a disciplinary action.I however didn't feel apologetic even though I had to act like I did."Sorry for the outburst, its just...I don't want to go back there.The council wanted me dead and they gave it all their strength.Who is to tell they won't kill me for sure if I go back up there.I know you and i are not friends, but I just wish for ones you would walk for a bit in my shoes.Every other heavenly soldier have a respectable job.They bless, they fight for humans and watch over them.Me on the other hand...I was finally happy to be off duty, and I want it to remain that way,"

I waited for a reaction from him, but he didn't give any.He was gazing up to the skies in what looked like deep thoughts, he then spoke without looking at me and before I knew what was to follow, it was already too late."I am Michael, my obligations to heaven are everything to me.I do what is expected of me and I don't ask questions.So does every other angel.That was all you had to do.I mean, how hard is it to follow simple instructions Azrael? But no, you wouldn't do that.All you ever do is complain and whine about how tough your job is.The same job you haven't done in a millenia.You have angels under your comand and you make them do it for you.If anyone should lament, it should be them...you are coming with me sister, whether you like it or not.I am not helping you lie,"

The next thing I knew, Michael was charging to my direction with his wings out.I tried to call out for Phanuel but Michael got to me long before I could get in touch with her.I tried to wrestle with him but I already knew that was a loosing battle.Not even Lucifer could beat this majestic soldier.After a while of trying to get free from Michael's hold, I realized it wasn't helping and I stayed still for the rest of the trip.I was busy planning on how I would escape as soon as Michael let go of me.The flight was like super fast.Not only was Michael strong, he was also the fastest angel in heaven.Whatever he didn't have in strength he compensated in speed and quick thinking.One of the reasons why I admired him.

Upon going through the gates, Michael put me down and just as I had planned, I too a run for it.What I never knew however, was the fact that he had already anticipated that I would try and he had me locked out of free heaven movement.It meant that I couldn't just go anywhere, most importantly, the gates were closed for me and there was no way I could get out without heavens permission.I could not even talk my way out as Urial the gates keeper and I were not friends.Michael asked me to follow him and seeing to the fact that I had no other choice, I followed him heavy heartedly.I listened in on the angels conversations and to my surprise non of them were talking about me.It was the first time ever, everytime I came in, the angels were always pointing fingers and talking about me and my crazy job. Today however, they didn't even look at me leave alone talk.

In a few minutes we were in the judgment chambers.I still couldn't shake the feeling of not being welcome there.I was still angry that the council had judged me without a trial or even as little as a notification.I didn't to be anywhere near them as i feared i could try to do something stupid."Michael, it is not too late to let me go.I believe you know what they are going to do with me when they realize i have no intention of going back to my job," i tried to plead with him for the last time.He didn't even say a word or even look at me.He just ordred me to follow him and he never forgot to ask me to keep my mouth shut.So, i shut up and followed him.A few angels would wave at me, most of them being the reapers, i would wave back and force a smile and act like i was okey.

We eventually arrived at the council's judgment chambers.They were all there already and immediately I got in they kept quiet and looked at me in surprise." Oooh you are surprised to know I am still around, well don't be, I am just a ghost," I said.It was not meant to be a joke as I said it from a place of anger.However, I knew it was a dumb thing to say.I was shown to a position and like everyone of them I took my seating position mid air.We didn't need chairs as our powers were enough to hold us and provide us with whatever we needed.We sat in a perfect circle and waited for whoever was to talk first.All the eyes were fixed on me as I sat uncomfortably next to one of the elders to my left and Michael to my right.

"I believe you know why we called you here Azrael," one of the elders said."Of course not, I thought angels never asked to meet with a fallen and an outcast," I answered in an attempt to anger him.If they got angry, they would send me out as they looked for the appropriate punishment, that was what I wanted them to do so I could have a chance to escape.The elder however stayed calm and he continued to explain." As Michael may have told you, we tried to replace you but every angel we asked, even your reapers turned down the offer.Maybe its true that yours is the most complicated job and no one want to take it.We need you back as the Angel of death.If you take it, we will wipe the slit clean for you and all your past shortcomings will be forgotten.What do you think about that?," he said.

"First of all, that is not an offer.Secondly, I am okey not being a part of you.You are only willing to take me back because you need something from me.You all hate me enough to judge me without a trial and even make sure your judgment is the worst there could ever be.You rained down your wrath on me like I was nothing.You never even stopped to think that I was one of you.That, that was when I realized I was never one of you and I will never be.I am okey with being a fallen angel.It is way much better than being somewhere i am not wanted.As much as you make your "offer" sound good, I don't want it and I am not going to take it.If you want to pour the rest of your remaining wrath on me, go on ahead, if not, not try to stop me from leaving, I then got up and made my way out.I heard one of them assure the rest that I would be back.

When I got out however, I never looked back.I walked my way through the few places I was allowed and headed for the gates.I was furious but at the same time I was scared the council would decide to punish me again.Atleast for the moment I knew they needed me and that would see to my safety for a little while.At the gate I waited for Urial to open but he didn't.I tried to talk to him but just like everyone he had a job to do and instructions to follow.Instructions he did not intend to ignore.This is heaven for you, no lies, no shortcuts and no string pulling.There was no way I could ever go back to being a good soldier like everyone else.Not after I had live on earth where actions had consequences but atleast there were choices.I had learned to talk my way out and into Places.I knew how to get people to owe me so I could have strings to pull when need be.

I sat down by the gates and watched as angels went in and out without anyone questioning or stopping them.For a moment I missed the gates back on earth where one could just break out or even bribe their way out.The gates of heaven were different as they were not your typical metal gates.They were a barrier made purely of the will of heaven and its power which was greater than anything else in the whole universe.There was no getting out not unless someone else convinced the heavens for me.I knew by then the group back in the bunker had noticed I was gone.They were probably worried sick and were already looking for me.I could hear Phanu calling me through angel radio but mine was out of range as the heavens had locked me out to stop me from communicating with anyone else rather than the elders.Every moment I spent there I felt more estranged and fallen.I thought of going back to the elders and accept take their offer so I would go back home, but I was way too angry to do that.

My anger was blinding my judgment.If I laid it down for a moment, I would have realized that taking back my old job was beneficial for me.It would give me back access to heaven and its reasourses, I would go back to being a step ahead of the war that was being prepared and that would mean a chance to try and stop it.However, with the anger eating me up from inside out, I could not see all of that.In fact, I could have never thought about it were it not for Michael who came to convince me to go back to the chambers.He opened my eyes and promised he was not going to interfere with my plans provided I stayed out of his way.

I followed him back to the chambers where I agreed to take back my duty and take full responsibility.The council wiped my slit clean and I was free to go.I gained heavens trust ones again and I was free to go in or out whenever I wanted to.I was happy to know I was the only one capable of being the angel of death and for the first time in a while it didn't feel all that bad.The council however had questions about Phanuel.They told me that she escaped and they were looking for her.I told them I hadn't seen or heard from her since the day she warned me about the punishment.I however "Promised" to report back to them in case I heard from her.

After the welcome back ceremony, I headed for the gates and this time they opened up for me.Swiftly I flew down still calculating whether my choice was the right one.I knew Michael could never manipulate anyone and that gave me confidence that he was not very much against me.Now all I needed to do was go back to my people and keep fighting for our ungrateful, unfair and crazy earth.Still felt silly to think I would risk everything for that planet.At the bunker, I found a worried crowd and I had to spend the evening explaining about the incident.They all agreed I made the right choice for me, the group and for heaven.I didn't have to hide anymore, but Phanuel had to and we all promised to do everything we could to help her stay hidden.

Now that I was back to full strength, the Ring Ping machine was back to its normal functions and Duke didn't have to go looking for the elements now.The bunker was back to full function and it liked the name Grumpy and we called it that, I named it that.Phanuel was more than willing to work with us even though she had to stay behind my shadow as it was the only way to hide for the moment.We would exchange roles and she had to play mine as we could never step out together.I still didn't know what to with her as the year was about to end and John, Tom and I would be going home for the holidays.I thought of taking her home with me but I just didn't know how.I was however working on finding a solution.

I had tests in a days time and I looked forward to end the crazy Year.Now i was not worried about failing and I also planned to cheat for both John and Tom.Hunting and studying had been a painstaking job for them and I knew they were not fully prepared."You think too much Azzy, why can't you just pretend to be like everyone else for a change," Duke said.Apparently, Ophie had had his hand stretched for the last few minutes as he was handing me over my food.I had not noticed him as I was deep in thoughts and I never saw him there.I took the plate and went down to eating business without saying a word.I was tired and hungry.

I however stopped briefly to look at everyone else in the room.Phanuel was seated mid air on the corner reading or rather skimming through the books.Ophie was seated on an armchair eating slowly while reading a novel.Tom had his food placed on his lap while his eyes were glued to his phone screen.John was also glued to his laptop doing last minute studies for his test.Duke was brushing his bushy beard which I thought was bad etiquette as he was doing it and eating at the same time.Miss Griffin was not in the mood to eat and neither did Geo.They were playing cards at the study desk.I was always fascinated by their relationship which was the wirdest one yet.Even when they were at peace, they were always fighting.They were like Tom and Jerry always fighting but inseparable.At the moment Geo was loosing and he was getting feely and Miss Griffin was just smiling and making fun of him.I knew a fight would soon follow but they would have enjoyed the good moments while the lasted.

Ally was seated on the sofa with her headphones on, writing songs.Nandi was, well being Nandi.She was trying to get the group to observe table manners but they were obviously not listening to her.She loved harmony and would go to any extent to make sure of it but with this group, that was the hardest thing to do.One day she would get used to them and their crazy ritual, only then will she be comfortable.Personally I had gotten used to them and whenever they were orderly or behaving right I knew something was wrong somewhere.They were who they were and I didn't expect them to change, nor would I have wanted the to Change.I loved their fights as the only brought them closer together in the end.I loved when they were all doing their thing as it stopped then from having stupid fights.At the end of the day, they were who they were and they were good at whatever the deed.That was all that really mattered.I smiled to myself.