Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 13

“Where am I?”

Janus was stunned by the hoarse voice that came out of his mouth. It was unfamiliar. It was a low, baritone, and hoarse voice, as if it had not been used for a long time.

“Janus safely arrived.” He heard Gabriel’s voice at the side.

Janus remembered what happened before he lost consciousness. Xandriel disappeared right in front of him to travel back on earth. He might be in his new body now. But there were some worries about Gabriel’s voice. Janus listened intently.

“I hope Xandriel is okay. If only she doesn’t need to cross the dimension, then there won’t be any trouble.” Janus furrowed his eyebrow when Gabriel continued.

Trouble? Has Xandriel not arrived yet?

“We can’t defy the rules, Gabriel. Miniel was on trial now because he fetched Xandriel once. Let’s just hope that she will arrive soon.” It was Raphael’s voice and he sighed.

Janus was in deep thought. So Miniel was the name of that guardian. It seems that guardians are prone to breaking the rules, Janus concluded. But his worry as of now is Xandriel. Where could she be? What could be the cause of her delay?

“Mr. Rivera?”

Janus snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the nurse again. He nodded as an answer, as his throat felt raw and dry so he couldn’t speak. The nurse must’ve understood his dilemma as she smiled at him warmly.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Rivera. Everything will be fine.”

Janus can only hope so. As the nurse left his room, the only person he was thinking about was Xandriel. It was all about Xandriel.

+++

“Xandriel.”

I heard a familiar voice behind me. I quickly opened my eyes and looked up. I couldn’t help myself from leaping up in relief when I saw a familiar face. Just seeing him standing before me sends warmth and relief all over my body.

“You!” I couldn’t contain the happiness I felt. I almost hugged him.

I really can’t believe it. I must be dreaming of seeing an angel in this place, not just another angel, mind you, but my own guardian angel! It's Miniel!

“Don’t be afraid. I will do anything in my power to get you out of this place.” I’m not afraid anymore. I barely contained myself, not to add.

Relief surged within me and when I got down from being so high up, it was just then that I inspected him closely. The once beautiful satin that was covering his body was now full of tears and mud. He looked as though he had just survived a war. His hair was still long that almost curtained his blue eyes. But the color of his eyes looked paler than before.

“What happened to you?” I finally voiced out.

He only gave me a small smile. Even his smile looked weak. What is wrong with him?

He held my hand and took the lead. I gasped when I saw his backside. My knees almost buckled as I felt the tears forming at the corners of my eyes. He had a huge scar and just by looking at it, I know it’s very painful. It won't take a genius to know where that scar came from. It was very obvious.

His wings are gone. It looked like it was pricked out of his back. His big and white wings are now gone and maybe that is also the reason why he looked so weak. He looked back at me as if I just didn’t see his back and the lack of his wings. He motioned for me to follow, so I had no choice but to harshly brush my tears and do as he said. When he turned back again, my heart squeezed in pain but I just kept it to myself.

“You need to get out of this place. You should not spend so much time here.” He firmly said to me. I was already right behind him.

His voice was now cold and sounded ordinary. His once soft and almost a lullaby voice was now gone along with his wings. We just continue trudging through this hallway. I didn’t know how he was going to find the way out, but I just followed him.

He suddenly stopped, so I almost bumped into his back. He went still for a while so I decided to peak on his front. My jaw dropped when I saw a woman standing before us. She looked normal but the scar on her face was so prominent that it was hard to miss.

“Don’t interfere. She doesn’t belong here.” Miniel said.

“She didn’t? But from what I have heard, she was the daughter of Belial. So, how come she doesn’t belong here? Besides, you are in no position to save her when you yourself need some saving.” The woman said smugly.

My eyebrows furrowed at that. Saving? Miniel needs saving? Does it have anything to do with his wings? My mind was filled with questions but I couldn’t manage to ask for some confirmation. He might have some reason why he did not tell me about it. I looked at the woman again, who was now standing with her hands on her hips. She peeked at me and Miniel was quick to hide me.

“What is happening here, Elaine?”

We all heard a voice and not long enough someone emerged from the darkness. He was wearing a silk just like Miniel’s, a dirty one too. His brown was a little longer than Miniel but it was put in a ponytail. His eyes were also dead but they were black in color. His features are one of those guardians. My question was soon answered by Miniel when he called his name.

“Kuriel.”

To say that I was shocked was an understatement. I thought that I had already received revelations that would last me a lifetime, but I was mistaken. So, he is Janus’ guardian.

“Is she the one? I did not believe it when I heard that you were coming here from hell just for your humans, but here you are. You are a great guardian, Miniel. Did you think that by doing this, He would forgive you and welcome you to his home again?”

Kuriel mocked Miniel, but the latter was not saying anything and just staring at him. I don’t know why I am being caught up in the fight between two angels, but I am here now, no exit.

“That’s none of your business. I won’t accept words coming from a traitor. You let your human be in danger for your personal desire. In retrospect, I’m much better than you.” Miniel retorted back.

“I’m not the only one who had some personal desires.” Kuriel said, not backing out.

“What is this commotion about?” This time, it was Belial who appeared from somewhere. The demon that I despise the most.

“Miniel, I see that you still have some strength. Where are you taking my daughter?” Belial said.

“I’m not your daughter!” I spat.

I was so sick and tired of hearing that I was that bastard’s daughter. If I were to decide, I would rather be an unborn child than to have the same blood as him.

I saw how Belial transformed right in front of my eyes. His eyes were blaring and they turned into a different shape. There were marks crawling from the back of his face. There was also some black smoke emitting from his body. Sensing the danger, Miniel shielded himself in front of me.

I know it was Minie’s job to protect me, but if there is something I can do to save the both of us from this place, I would not hesitate to do it. It's time that I repay Miniel.

“You are my daughter, Xandriel. You can deny it all you want but you will never change that fact!” Belial insisted.

That infuriated me more. Stating that fact was a big blow to me. I just couldn’t take him anymore, so I exploded.

“Daughter? You don’t even know what I want and now you’re saying that? You violated my mother. You forced yourself towards her and all it bought her was pain! So, no, you are not my father. I'm not going to recognize you as my father!”

I huffed. Releasing it all out was a tiring process, but I'm glad I let it all out. I shouldn’t have done that, letting my guard down.

In the blink of an eye, Belial was already in front of me. His hands were clasped around my neck. His eyes were blaring red and it looked like it was going to pop. I looked at my side to find Miniel and I saw him nurturing his back as she staggered to get up. Belial enclosed his hold on me more. His nails were digging at my flesh and he looked as if he was ready to kill.

Maybe he is. That brought fear out of me. For the first time in my life, I felt a different type of fear. Frightened was not enough to describe what I'm feeling. I'm hanging on for dear life as I tried to pry his hold on me, which is futile.

I opened my mouth to breathe but nothing came out. I willed myself more, and did my best to save myself, but it all boiled down into tears. I was helpless and hopeless. My insides were churning and I was near passing out.