Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 9

“It was obvious that you let it happen to her. Aren’t you angels? Are you not supposed to come to her aid? Where is He when she needs help? My Mamang was in need of help. What did He do? What did you all do?”

Fat tears are dripping down my face. I was trying to think about what Mamang was feeling during that time. How painful it must be to be betrayed by the person you loved. To be in that position and to learn the truth all at once. How did she manage to raise me, a daughter of a demon? How did she manage to smile at me and look at me lovingly?

“I understand your feelings, Xandriel. I know how painful it is to be betrayed.” I heard Zadkiel’s voice at my side.

I even felt his miraculous hands on my shoulder. No. No, he can’t. I can’t trust them. They let Mamang into that situation. I can’t be swayed by them.

“Don’t touch me!” I jerked my shoulder and stepped back, away from the angels, away from everyone.

“Don’t come near me. You can’t use your powers on me. I would not let you!” I said.

“All of you angels, you are the so-called soldiers of God. Why did you let Mamang be violated by that demon? Why didn’t you save her? You left her alone.” I continued.

I put a greater distance between me and the angels. Anger. That is what I’m feeling right now. Anger towards everyone inside this room. Anger towards Him for leaving my Mamang in that situation. Anger at that demon. Why did he choose my Mamang? Anger at myself because of this blood running in my veins. Just pure anger that I can’t control.

“Xandriel, don’t say that. He did not leave his mother’s side. He was there, always watching.” Raphael softly said. He stepped forward in an attempt to reach out to me but I firmly shook my head. I’m not going to believe anything they say.

“Xandriel…” It was Zadkiel’s turn to call my name, but I was adamant on dismissing them all.

I hugged my arms around my body. Tears continuously rolled down my face and I was now hiccupping as my chest contracted with pain. I was in that position when I heard it. A familiar voice.

“Lord, I lift myself up to you. I offer you all the things I have and possess. Save me from this demon who is trapping me, forcing me away from you. I believe in you; I offer you all this…” In between those prayers, there are hiccups and sobbes, but I can still recognize that voice.

It was the one who sang me lullabies to sleep. It was what woke me up most mornings. It was what greeted me when I reached home from school. I know that voice all too much, my mother's voice.

“That was the prayer your mother had said during that time. She did not give up and she did not lose hope.” Tronus then explained.

I raised my head to look at him and his eyes caught me off guard. It is now in the color blue. What is happening to him?

Tronus slowly stepped towards me. His steps were light and he was staring straight at me with those blue eyes. He opened his mouth and Mamang’s voice came out. I was dumbfounded and my tears halted.

“Lord, I know you won’t leave me behind. I know that You are always there. Even during this time, even though I’m sacred, I will not doubt you. I will not stop believing in you and your plan.”

Every step that Tronus took, every word that he said, it all came out in Mamang's voice. How did he do that leaves me in question. And as the words registered on my mind, all it got me was more questions.

How could she say that? How can she be so loyal and believing? How can she sound so strong?

Another batch of healthy tears streamed down my eyes. My mind won’t process the idea that my mother was violated by a demon and was put in danger, but after all that, she still remained faithful. She was still strong. I can’t believe that she can still say those words to him.

“You were born and were given a name. Alongside that, is the execution of the plan and the beginning of my mission.” Janus said, but Janus hadn’t said anything.

“Don’t worry too much, Xandriel. Your mother was happy when you came into her life.” I jerked my head towards Janus when I heard his voice.

All I see is a wide-eyed and bewildered Janus, as if he was seeing a ghost. Wait, I did not hear his voice in his direction. It was near and it came… from the back. I whirled around to see him.

My eyes might be deceiving me right now. I might be hallucinating. There were two Janus, one who was standing beside Raphael and Zadkiel, and another was standing behind me, not too far away.

What’s going on? Why are there two Janus’ here? Who is the real deal?

“Don’t worry and calm down, Xandy.” Janus, the second one, said. Not that I can really distinguish one from another.

Janus, the second, smiled at me and his body suddenly emitted a strong glow. His once normal clothes were replaced by those of Raphael and Zandkiel’s clothes. The only difference was the color. His was a pure white satin and his wings were also a vibrant white. But I can’t spot any insignia on his exposed skin, just like the two archangels.

“Hi, I’m Gabriel, the messenger.” He bowed down and offered me a genuine smile.

+++

“O…kay. That was… uhm, surprising. Is there anything else? Do you still have something up your sleeves? You can tell me now so; I can take it all in at once.” I tried to say it jokingly but my voice quavered, giving away my emotions.

My tears suddenly stopped and I threw my hands in the air in frustration. Ever since I stepped foot in this place, all I have got was surprises here and there. Revelations and some unthinkable surprises. My mind was slowly going numb and so was my heart. I felt like I was about to go crazy.

I don’t know how to take this all in. This is too much. I also noticed that the two archangels furrowed their eyebrows in confusion.

“Yeah, you, uh, can also explain this to me. My face, why do you have my face?” Janus finally voiced out after having some face-to-face moment with his own face.

“I apologize Janus, I needed to use your body and identity. You are not supposed to die on that day, but because of some demon, you have run out of luck.” Gabriel’s face softened as he said those words to Janus.

“I did not expect Kuriel to endanger your life. I was also taken aback that day,” Tornus added.

“Don’t. Don’t mention that name again. I don’t want to hear that anymore.” Janus sneered at the angels.

His fist his both hands. I was surprised to see Janus with that kind of expression. He was always polite to the angels and when he was talking to me, he had that cold expression on his face but nothing like that. This is full of hatred and anger.

“You knew? You knew about this story and the name of your Guardian?” I can see that Zadkiel, too, was taken aback.

“When Janus was being transported here, Kuriel met him and asked for forgiveness. That is also what I want to tell you, Raphael. That dimension was not safe anymore. Demons come and go as they please.” Tronus said.

Okay, I now feel out of place here. What are they talking about? I was about to pry into their subject when we heard a shrieking scream. We all ran outside the room. I was surprised at how we managed to find the door, but right now was not the time for that. We ran outside, well, me and Janus did, because the angels just flew there. Jealous. When we reached the park, we saw a circle of people crowding on to something. And it looks like a scream from the middle of it.