Fallen

Chapter Eighteen-Michael's POV

Although I had just met the human woman, just accepted her as my own, I had to leave her. In all of my existence there was nothing harder than the choice I had made in that moment. My brothers felt the same, all of us hardening ourselves to help. It did not help. She was still unaware of an archangel’s power, and she did not know that we could see her, even when clouds blocked her view of us. It had hurt my heart to watch her drop to her knees and sob. She was being strong for us; she did not want us to see her break. Such a strong soul she had.

“Are we sure this is what is needed?” Uriel’s voice was distant, his eyes still watching Belle. I had stopped, her pain was already tightening my chest. Her sorrow wrapping around me.

“We have no choice.” I answered tightly.

“We all must go back to her.” Azrael stated, his voice resigned. He knew what needed done, even if he did not want to do it.

“We will all return to her once heaven is reclaimed.” I told them.

“And if that takes years?” Uriel asked. “She will grow old waiting for us. She will break when we do not come back. What then brother?”

It was a question I was already thinking about. I had thought we could all take turns going back to her, that way we never left heaven undefended. Yet the uprising had overpowered all three of us. It was Raphael who helped them, who had betrayed his brothers. I just did not know why. What could make him turn against us?

“I do not know.” I answered honestly, sadly. It was true. I did not know what we would do should this battle last years. Belle did not have years. An archangel’s beloved will stop aging, but only after the bond is cemented. None of us even had the chance to love her, we had no time with her. And now we may never have her in our arms again. The pain that hit me at that thought, was astronomical. I never expected to fall from heaven just to meet the only one who would want to make me stay.

Belle insisted though. Even being human she knew what was happening in heaven was more urgent than anything else. A true selfless soul. A soul willing to give up her own happiness, her own peace, just to make sure lives were save, that heaven was saved. Raphael would pay for the pain he is making us inflict upon her.

No more words were spoken as we broke the veil between heaven and earth. Heaven was already a battle ground. Angel’s lay lifeless all over, while others were fighting even though they were not born or trained as warriors. They were fighting to save heaven and their families. Pride swept through me at being apart of such a strong race. Angels were the strongest among others, archangels’ power just under the seraphim. Though they never got involved unless all other hope is lost. It was them who threw Lucifer and his followers from heaven. They never spoke just did their job and once again left to their sanctuary.

“How did you survive?” Raphael’s voice came from above us. When he focused closer on us his eyes widened. “How? How did you come to get silver wings?” he roared his rage. “I had your wings severed from your back. It should be impossible.”

Azrael shot up to Raphael, easily knocking his sword from his hand and wrapping his hand around Raphael’s throat. “You.” Azrael sneered. “It was you who did this to us. You betray your brothers, and for what?” Azrael tightened his grip. Raphael was no match for Azrael, he was just under me in strength.

“Power.” Raphael gasped.

“And whom promised you this power? The seraphim would never allow you to take over. They would throw you just as they did Lucifer.” My grip tightened on my sword as I spoke.

“Lucifer.” Raphael laughed. “Lucifer has been expelled from heaven for as long as any of us remember. Do you really think he would spend that time wallowing?” Raphael laughed. “No. He has found a way to kill the Seraphim. Without them Lucifer and I will rule. No one would be safe from us.”

He had gone completely mad. He was willing to let Lucifer back into heaven? For power? “Why do you crave more power, Raphael? Why kill and betray in order to obtain it?”

“You Michael. You are why. You would never have allowed this, so I had to get rid of you. I had to weaken you first. Without Azrael or Uriel there was only you and Gabriel. Gabriel as we all know does not wish to fight, he only does for you. Once he heard what happened, he flew into a rage.” Raphael laughed again. “It was fun, watching him scream as his wings were torn from his back. Listening to the pain in his screams as his skin was torn from his bone. You remember do you not Uriel?” he taunted.

“Where is Gabriel?” Azrael growled. Lifting Raphael into the air.

Raphael just smiled. “You just missed him. He had a date with earth. In his condition there is no hope of survival. Whatever miracle healed you could never mend Gabriel. I made sure to tear him to shreds.”

Belle. Belle will find him and heal him; I have no doubt. But will she be enough? My eyes narrowed onto Raphael. “I will not allow this.”

“You are too late.” Raphael laughed; it has already begun. “Lucifer will leave hell in mere moments. Then he will make his way back here and kill the Seraphim. You can not protect them. And they can not protect themselves. All hope is lost for all of you.”

He was right. If Lucifer was coming earth bound, he would be here soon. Worse even, Lucifer is an archangel, he would be drawn to Belle. We would not protect her from here and we can not go to her. Not without leaving heaven unprotected. Gabriel would not be enough in his condition, if he even survived the fall.

“We may or may not be able to stop this, but we will die trying. You though brother will not be apart of this fight. This is where your journey ends.” My anger fueled my sword as flames burst from it. Azrael smiled, knowing what I wanted. With no hesitance Azrael threw Raphael full force onto my flaming sword. Raphael’s mouth fell open in a silent scream, his eyes wide with pain. But he did not die as he should have. His body was scorched black, his wings burning under the power, and yet he remained whole. The only reason I could think as to why was Belle. She was a beacon for archangels, and she has yet to come across Gabriel, Raphael, or Lucifer.

My brothers and I shared sorrow filled looks. We all knew what had to be done. Belle must encounter all of us, even Lucifer. If she is not killed by one, then there is a chance we could be saved. Her alone could stop Lucifer and Raphael, and we could not help. It was her destiny to save all of us, to return us to who we were. With my chest tightening, I threw Raphael from heaven, his blood flowing from his body was he fell, leaving a path behind him.

“We can not intervene,” I said placing my hand on his chest to stop him.

“They will find her.” He argued, grabbing my wrist with strength he had not had.

“It is her destiny brother. All Archangels are drawn to her and so all must encounter her. Should she not be able to win Raphael and Lucifer, hope is lost for us all. It will take days for them to reach her, that will give her time, however small between losing us and gaining them.”