Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the End

A Chapter by TheSteve

“Azrael,” The voice cuts through me like a serrated blade. I don’t hear it, so much as feel it, it reverberates around my mind, echoing long after the voice has whispered my name. I knew that voice. It was the voice calling me to do my duty, to serve as I swore to do. I kneel in His courtroom, still covered in blood, dirt and sweat from today’s battle. I know He sits amongst the clouds somewhere in front of me, and I can sense his most trusted advisors surrounding me. There were less than normal.

“Your time has come Azrael; you are amongst the strongest and the brightest of my servants. You have achieved tremendous feats in your service to me. The time has come to truly put you to the test. You are to be given a new assignment. You are to travel to the realm of Adam and eve. do you accept?"

When The Big Guy himself gives you orders, even if he asks, you do not refuse.

“Of course, My Lord!” I cried out, my voice doing little to penetrate the ever swirling clouds, but I knew he heard. I expected that to be it, but again his voice rang out.

“You are strong Azrael, you serve me well. But you are still young. The sword to which you appear attached has seen more of the Planes then you have, and probably more than you ever will. This new charge will be your toughest yet. Vapula was strong, but not as strong as others you will no-doubt face. You will do well to remember this and not let this… victory go to your head.”

I was speechless. For The King himself to tell me these things he must have been watching me closely. This was a terrifying honour. “Of course, My Lord. I shall take these words to heart.” I managed to get out.

“See that you do. Now go Azrael. You have much work to do. Chayyliel will fill you in on the details.”

“Thank you, My King.” I said and rose to my feet, Chayyliel, the Commander of God’s army, walking out of the clouds to join me as I exited the chamber.

Chayyliel indicated that I should follow him and turned down the corridor towards the briefing rooms. We entered and Chayyliel pointed to one of the chairs, I sat down hesitantly. He took the seat opposite me and looked hard into my face. I held his gaze for what seemed an age. His face was gnarled with numerous scars from the swords of demons and fallen, wounds which would never really heal. I know for a fact that most of them spread far out along his body. The biggest scar flows from just below his brown hair, through a bushy eyebrow, across his right eye, still a sparkling blue but sunken deep in its socket, wanders past his long nose, now crooked from innumerable fights. It continues down through his thick, powerful lips and down his hard, pointed chin, disappearing into his bright white armour.

It was he who broke the silence, “I don’t think you are ready for this mission, you may be powerful, but you are inexperienced. You have only ever followed orders. You probably can’t even think for yourself!”

I held his gave still. “And yet, here you are, giving me orders, because you are following His orders. So really, all you do is follow orders as well!”

Chayyliel slammed his fist down on the table, shattering it. “You hold your tongue! You may have won The Kings favour today, but tomorrow you may fail, and be banished to the farthest outpost in the Lost Dessert! Your rashness has gotten you into trouble before! How is it you came to be fighting Vapula anyway? Because you almost, almost disobeyed an order! If you were not so lucky, you would be slain alongside your brother today.” He breathed deeply. “This mission requires patience and skill. You have some of the latter, and you will have no time to learn the former. The only reason you are being chosen is because they will not be expecting you. You are too young.”

I objected to this. “I am not too young to serve. I am 200 for s***s sake! I’ve served for 100 years! That’s more experience then most at this age!”

Chayyliel fought to control himself. “Act your age d****t! I’m trying to give you your orders! So just shut up and listen!” I opened my mouth to argue, but I did not have the energy. I slumped in my chair. “Forgive me Chayyliel; My brothers loss is tearing me apart. That’s why I fought Vapula. The anger just took hold.” I lowered my head. I heard Chayyliel sigh, “I know Azrael, I’m sorry, I know what that’s like. I lost a brother once, and since then some good friends and lots of good men. The hardest part of being a soldier is letting go of all that and getting on with the job at hand.” I looked up at him and saw that he was being genuine. He really was upset over the angels he lost today.

We sat in silence before he told me to follow him; we went into a different briefing room and said, “Let us start over.” I smiled. “As you know, your orders involve you crossing into the Human Plane. This alone presents a problem, but one we can handle. You are not to take another as a vessel though. That is the difficulty here.”

“So how am I supposed to cross over?” I asked as I did not know of another way. Chayyliel smiled darkly, “In 200 hundred years you are still a teenager amongst us. You will now see how fast you become a teenager in Human years.” I must have looked puzzled because Chayyliel’s dark smile grew darker still.

“You ever hear the story of how we sent the Son across?” Chayyliel asked. I nodded; he was born out there, to a virgin woman. “Well, we feel that’s the best method, a better disguise for you. If you take possession of a host, they would feel it.” I was dumfounded. I stared at him in utter disbelief. “But… but…” I struggled to get out the words, “…It would take years till I was ready to fight! If this mission is so important, it must be a huge threat, to be taken care of quickly! Right?” Chayyliel’s face didn’t move, “Wrong. This mission is not urgent. We can wait about… 17 human years I think…”

“17 years!” I exclaimed, “What the hell am I going to do in 17 years?”

“Search. You are going to search for demons, fallen angels, and most importantly, the Daughter.” Chayyliel informed me matter-of-factly.

“The Daughter? The rest I get, but… the Daughter?”

“The Daughter of the King. She has her own mission, it is yours to protect her and educate her of our ways until her mission is complete. She will decide whether or not she will fill you in on the details. But just so you know, she might not know she is the daughter. Gabriel will visit her and tell her, it is not your place. If her life is in danger, you must protect from afar. Do not interfere. Understand?”

I nodded that I did but Chayyliel was not convinced. "Emotions can play no part in this task, Azrael. You must learn to control them, and in doing so, yourself. Do you understand?" I looked deep into his eyes, "I understand." I whispered. “Good. You have till tomorrow to say your goodbyes! But do not tell anyone about your mission!” Then he rose and left. I sat in that chair for a while thinking things over. ‘A daughter? What’s going on down there to need her? Is the apocalypse on the way?’ I brooded a while longer then got up slowly and walked out. I took the long way back to my quarters to soak in as much of my home as possible.

My head was below the clouds so my feet took over and I automatically walked to the armoury. As I approached I saw a tall, dark figure heading towards me, reflexively I put my hand on my sword. I was cautious, but not scared. The figure was wearing a long, black robe with a deep hood. When he got within twenty paces I stopped and he looked up. I heard a dark chuckle and he reached up and threw his hood off revealing a pale face, a crop of black hair, tight thin lips, a short nose and dark-brown eyes.

It was Abaddon, the Angel of Death. “Azreal!” He called out smiling, “You’re the big hero today I hear!” He sounded pretty cheery for a man whose responsibility is to ensure that people die. “Not that they congratulated me for it. Not that the glory is really worth the sacrifice.” I said glumly. “Ah yes, I heard about Yaral. He was a good soldier. But also a good brother, was he not?” I hung my head, the picture or Yaral lying in the dirt, covered in blood swam in my head. “The best.” I replied.

Abaddon came close and put his hand on my shoulder. “I cannot say what happens to an angel when he dies. I can tell you what happens to a human soul, though you already know. Perhaps there is another realm above us? Perhaps it is similar to ours, maybe it is better.” I knew he was trying to make me feel better but I could not picture it. “Maybe…” Was all I said.

I felt the hand fall from my shoulder and looked up at Abaddon. He smiled reassuringly, I’m sure wherever he is, he’s happy, and he’s proud of what the two of you achieved. You did a good thing, Azreal. How many more might have died had Yaral not sacrificed himself?” I nodded, “Thankyou Abaddon. I know you’re trying,” I smiled. He patted me on the shoulder again and said “I’ll let you go, I’m sure you have plenty to do before tomorrow.” I looked up sharply, “What…?” I asked startled ‘What does he know?’. “Well, you’re shipping out to the desert are you not?” He asked, “Oh yeah. I didn’t think anyone knew yet…” I replied.

Abaddon smiled, “Of course the Archangels know. We know a lot of things!” With that we exchanged good byes and he continued upon his path. I changed mine and headed back to my quarters.

------

The other angels in the barracks cleared a path for me as I walked down the hall. Out of respect for both my victory, and for my loss. Brothers amongst angels are rare, twin bothers, rarer still. The bond we shared was more powerful than any of them could even dream. The loss was more than anyone would want to.

I opened the door to my dorm, and was immediately struck down by a sudden uprising of emotions as I my gaze fell upon my brothers empty bed. It was perfectly made, as was expected of any soldiers bed. Rage built up inside me and I threw myself at the bed pulling its sheets apart, hating the bed for its emptiness, its perfectness. How could it be so perfect when this day was as far from perfect as possible. It's emptiness reflecting the emptiness in my heart, in my soul.

I tore the sheets from it and flipped the mattress onto the floor. The rage gave way as pain grabbed me. I broke down and tears streaked down my face. I could taste the saltiness as they touched my lips. I hated this bed. I hated myself. I saw Yaral's body lying in the dirt again, I saw Vapula smile as her spear penetrated my brothers heart. I felt the shock, I felt the pain. I felt the anger. I fell asleep right there, on my brothers mattress, soaked through with tears.