Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 1

“Don’t even think about it, Archangel.” Gabriel suddenly stopped at what he was about to do.

“You shouldn’t do things that nobody asks you to do. Besides, killing a human was not your job.” A Dominion said with finality. Dominion, an angel that carries a golden robe that is imprinted with heaven’s letters.

“No, he is not a human anymore. He had lost that privilege when he did that,” Gabriel answered. He was still staring at the unconscious person in front of him.

Human. He was not a human anymore. He was now a demon, like what Gabriel perceived him to be.

“But it’s not enough reason for you to punish him. Let the Thrones do their jobs.” Defeated, Gabriel stepped back and lowered the sword he had unsheathed earlier.

As soon as Gabriel retreated, another angel landed on their side. He had wings that almost shined, he was covered with blue fabric. He did not pay attention to the other angels there and proceeded to do this job.

With his hands raised, he forms a cross with its motion. He places his forefinger and middle finger on the forehead of the man. There was a blinding light emerging from the place where the angel's finger was placed and another circle of light on the floor where the angel was standing. They were both engulfed by a light, one that can compare to the sun.

Gabriel decided not to watch as the scene unfolded. He already knows it by heart.

+++

“Sorry, I was delayed by something. I’m Detective Jeff Dela Cruz. Nice to meet you.” The Detective who talked to me earlier said as he sat down on his chair.

I really don’t know the reason why we are all here. Our stories would definitely be identical to each other and they could get it there at the scene. Do they think that the story will eventually change from one person to another? I really wanted to ask but was cut off by a shout.

“Why are you arresting me? I didn’t even do anything.” I heard a familiar voice.

Janus was being led by police inside the station. Both of his hands were handcuffed. I think hard about the reason for his arrest but I can’t find any. So, I ran up to him.

“Wait! He’s my friend. He was with me when the accident happened.” I explained.

The police let Janus go. He almost stumbled down because of the force, but I was quick to catch his shoulder.

“You were the first to approach the victim. That’s why you are one of the suspects.” The police said. It didn’t go unnoticed in my eyes the way his tummy bulges.

“It’s not even enough reason to handcuff me. How can you suspect me so much about that?” Janus spat.

Janus was a patient person. When he gets mad, then he is really mad. So, I can understand his attitude a little. Who wouldn’t? It’s not even included in their protocol that they can just handcuff someone because of some accusations and assumptions. They need to at least present a warrant or have some strong evidence.

“Officer, we have really been together since morning. Like I told you, he was with me when the accident happened.” I tried explaining again. The police officer looked at me first before he looked back at Janus.

What the! How rude! I glared at the bald officer. I was chanting some bad things in my mind while imagining how I would like to just punch him in the gut. I was really pissed.

“Even so, it is all still part of the invisti-”

“I TOLD YOU ALREADY! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO REPEAT MYSELF?”

The police officer was cut off when we heard a shout not far from where we were standing.

Everyone stops on their track as they watch the old lady throwing a fit in front of another officer. Her eyes glinted angrily and her hands were trembling, maybe from rage. Nobody dared to move a muscle, nobody even went out of their way to ease the commotion.

It all happened so fast. One moment the lady was just standing and the next she had her hands on the neck of the poor officer. She was still shouting.

“YOU SHOULD’VE BELIEF ME FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!”

It was as if the other officers snapped out of their trance, they quickly ran to aid their poor fellow officer who was heaving out of breath. That includes the one we are talking to.

I grip Janus’ arm tight. I’m scared. I could see that the old lady’s fingers were now sinking into the officer’s neck. It was as if her nails were getting longer by the minute. By now, there was a little trickle of blood from where the nails were digging. I looked at the old lady's face and noticed that her eyes were changing.

I sink deeper into Janus' arms and I even hide my head on the back of his shoulder. Everyone was in more panic than in the previous accident. Then I heard it again. That piercing scream.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here.” Janus pulled me out of the station. I let him drag me out. I can’t watch the scene unfold anymore. It’ll drive me mad.

+++

“Where have you been?” Kate was the first to see us when we reached the school council office.

She was the president. Kate was standing before us, hands on her hips.

“We ran into a problem on the way. Sorry.” Janus briefly explained. Kate looks at me for confirmation.

She squints her eyes to look at me as she steps closer to us. That’s when she notices my trembling hands that were still holding Janus’s arms. I have been trying to calm myself down but the image of that old lady was now imprinted on my mind. If I were to look in the mirror, I would not be surprised to see my ashen face.

“What happened?” Kate asked in worry. She looks at me first before transferring her gaze to Janus. The latter shrugs his shoulder and earns a slap from Kate.

“It’s a long story. What about the meeting?” Janus asked, changing the subject. It became a tradition that after fulfilling our agenda and duty for the day, there would be a meeting.

“Jake was mad because you were not here. As a punishment, you two will be the only ones to fulfill the duties tomorrow. I’ll tell you your duties tomorrow.” Kate explains.

“But by the looks of it, you have some valid reasons. Maybe we can talk about it.” She adds.

I shook my head immediately. It’s not right, for me at least. I believe we need to take responsibility that comes with our actions.

“Oh, Super Girl said she could handle anything.” I glared at Janus when he said that.

“Don’t forget that you’ll be with me.” I retorted back.

“Stop that. I’ll take my leave first. *Nanay was waiting for me at home.” Kate waved us goodbye.

With her Prada bag, she walked out of the school where a car was waiting for her. I really can’t understand how she can still call her mother, Nanay. Even though her family owns a famous boutique in the country.

I was about to go my way too when I remembered something.

“Janus, where were you earlier? And why did you get close to the corpse?”

If you had been with me earlier, that would’ve made it a little bit easier for me. I would feel less scared. I wanted to add it but I stopped myself.

“Oh, that? I was just checking if he was alive. Besides, didn’t you see me? I was being guided by an ambulance. They must’ve thought that I was a family.” Janus scratched the back of his head before laughing slightly.

I squinted my eyes at his reaction. He gave me another set of his smiles. Yeah, Xandriel. Who was that? She’s a goner.