Prologue

“Michael!”

The raven-haired Archangel turned sharply on his heel, his white tunic spinning around his legs like a soft cloud. His dark eyes watched Jophiel come running towards him, the younger Archangel’s face a mask of worry and his blonde hair disheveled from his hastened run. The creature’s white, feathered wings quivered as he came to a stop, trying hard to catch his breath. He knelt instinctively at the higher angel’s feet, his head bowed slightly.

“Rise.” Michael said softly, slightly moving his hand in response. “What is it?”

Jophiel stood quickly, straightening his hair and tunic. “It is Adam and Eve, sir.” he said with a heavy breath. “They’ve done something unimaginable.”

Michael raised an eyebrow and gave a short, soft laugh. “Adam and Eve?” The laughter came again and the dark haired Archangel shook his head. “Those two couldn’t do any wrong if their lives depended on it.” Michael turned away sharply, wishing only to continue his walk.
Swallowing hard Jophiel took a step in front of Michael, blocking his path. His shaking eyes looked deep into those of his brother, stealing his breath. “Eve has taken an apple from the Tree of Knowledge.”

“What?” Michael cried, his eyes wide with amazement for a moment. His voice echoed in the celestial hall of The House of the Savior and then succumbed to silence. Michael’s emerald wings flexed as his eyes narrowed in anger. “Eve has given in to Lucifer’s trickery? I thought God made it clear that taking the fruit from that tree will end in punishment and banishment from the Garden. What possessed that child to do such a thing?”

“I do not know. Something happened; Lucifer had drawn her away from us.” Jophiel replied, sounding more and more frightened as he continued to speak. “Lucifer is more maniacal then we thought, Michael. We knew he’d try a do something to them, but this? If only there had been some type of sign.”

Jophiel’s voice seemed distant to Michael as his mind wandered to Lucifer. The look in his eyes passed from anger to a tone of deep interest with the thought of his lost friend. Michael’s eyes met with Jophiel’s, which seemed to know what was playing within the emerald winged angel’s mind. Michael sighed and closed his eyes, placing a hand to his forehead. “Have you or Uriel spoken with God?”

Jophiel shook his head solemnly. “No, my dear brother; I was off to tell him myself, but I ran into you before I could reach the main chambers. I fear the punishment I am to receive.” Jophiel lowered his eyes. He forced his eyes closed and his breath came out as a shuddering sigh. “Uriel and I were to watch over them both, but we were distracted by other things. Uriel wanted me to teach him a song.”

“You should’ve stayed with Uriel to comfort the two. Adam and Eve must be out of their mind with fear. Surely the sight of the two of you wouldn’t make it better, but they need some type of comfort.” Michael explained. He paused as he felt a familiar sensation wash over him as his body began to act on its own. Michael’s eyes began to shine with a holy light, which he closed quickly. “God has spoken with His children. They shall be banished from Eden, and so shall their children, never to return. They will be forced to fend for themselves in the world in which God had created.

“You, dear Jophiel, now must go and see to it the two driven from Eden, if you need aid the other Cherubim will be there; you must prevent the return of man. Upon taking the task, God will give you a flaming sword as your weapon of protection and to stand guard at the Tree of Knowledge.”

Jophiel closed his eyes and gnawed on his lower lip. “And what of Uriel; we cannot be apart. We have a bond that we do not want shattered.” He opened his and looked at Michael, seeing a flicker of sympathy in his eyes as they opened. “Will he, too, be able guard our Lord’s creations?”

Michael nodded. The Blessed glow had left his eyes and his body was now his own to control. “Uriel will stand guard at the gates of Eden. He too shall have a flaming sword to prevent man's return. If man should enter Eden, it is your duty to drive them away, even if death is the only means. Upon your failure, the Archangel Gabriel and I shall fix what you have ruined, even if it means the downfall of man.”

“What am I to do now?” Jophiel asked, turning his eyes away from Michael. They quivered and the whites were now bathed with the blood of his tears. The elder Archangel put a comforting hand on his shoulder, which caused Jophiel to wipe away his tears.

“Go to Eden and drive God’s children from the garden. Uriel is there, awaiting your arrival and he has with him the swords.” Michael explained. He kissed Jophiel’s forehead and made the cross of God before him. Michael gave a curt nod. “Good luck my friend.”

Jophiel took a step back and looked at Michael, giving him a faint smile and soft bow. Wiping away his on coming tears Jophiel disappeared in a soft purple light. Then, Michael was alone; he heaved a heavy breath as he felt his heart sink.

The hall in The House of the Savior was silent, except for Michael's soft breathing as he slowly began his walk. He flexed his emerald wings, slightly, and they slowly tucked themselves closer to his slender body. Michael’s mind was a blur of confusion. Things were changing too dramatically and the fragile world of Heaven would inevitably be effected.

‘This wasn’t what was planed,’ Michael thought bitterly.

“It seems we have trouble within our midst.”

Michael turned around slowly and raised his eyes to the source of the voice. His eyes glistened slightly as he saw a familiar figure. “Sandalphon, I wasn’t expecting to see you for some time.”

Sandalphon smiled brightly from his perch on a high windowsill. His black hair was tied back into a long braid, nearly blending in with a sea of black robes “Well, I heard the cosmic cry and decided I should see what our lovely Archangel was up to.”

“Seeing how you have nothing to do with yourself, you could manage to find the time.” Michael replied and pointed an angry finger towards the lithe figure. “If you utter any word of this to another angel, God will have your head for this, as will I. The last thing we need is another rebellion.”

“I’m hurt. Do you think I would do that? Start a rebellion, I mean.” Sandalphon said with a soft smile. He stood, spreading his dark gray wings, and flew down to Michael’s side. The two exchanged glances before Michael began to walk away. “Where are you going?” Sandalphon asked, slightly angered at the Archangel’s rude behavior.

Michael glanced over his shoulder, his eyes locking onto Sandalphon’s. “I’m going to speak with God; there are things I must discuss with Him.”

Sandalphon’s eyes lit up and he quickly ran after Michael. “Really? Never have I seen you go off to our Lord’s chambers to speak with him. God has always come to the angels if something is needed. Is the trouble in Eden truly that bad?"

“The release of Adam and Eve into the world can be perilous.” Michael replied. He let out a heavy breath and clasped his hands together. “I know it is God’s will, and we mustn’t defy His will, but I truly think this could prove to be a wrong turn in His work.”

“You will be sorely punished if you question Him, you know.” Sandalphon said. His black eyes turned from Michael’s profile and to the large, white double doors of God's chambers; he swallowed hard. There were many times he stood before those doors and watched them, waiting to see them open and catch a glimpse of what lay on the other side. “I have never been into our Lord’s chambers, and I know not if you have. . . .”

Michael nodded. “I have, many times.”

“What about the Seraphims?” Sandalphon asked. “I’ve heard a little about them. The light they emit as they fly around the throne is too bright for us to even look at. How could you see Him then? How will we see Him?” He glanced at Michael and smiled to himself, smug with the fact that the emerald winged angel didn’t correct him and say that he was to venture alone.

“They do not emit the light at all times, Sandalphon.” Michael explained. “Only in the forms of the fiery serpents do they show this light. They are angels, slightly similar, but with six wings and full of eyes, before and behind. A truly, um, splendid sight if I do say so.” Sandalphon gave a quick nod and tried to wrap his mind around the image of the Seraphims.

The two Archangels strolled down the white corridor, silence settling between them. Their slippered feet made soft, patted sounds as they walked; soon even their breath couldn’t be heard as they came closer to the doors. A wave of uneasiness passed through Sandalphon and he glanced at Michael; his face was nothing more than a solemn mask.

The soft voices of the Seraphims slithered from the door and into the hall, hovering around the doors. The two Archangels stopped only a few feet away from the doors, their head tilted to try and listen to the whispered voices of the Seraphim. Michael bent his head and reached for the door’s golden handle, his hand shaking ever so slightly.

“Wait just a minute!”
Michael let out a soft sigh and let his hand fall to his side. “Am I going to be interrupted every time I try and get something done?” he growled, letting his hand form into a fist.

“I cannot let you in to see our Father.”

“And why not?” Michael asked, turning around.

Anfial stood before the two Archangels, her fiery red hair and pale green eyes stared harshly at the two. Her red wings were bent behind her and her arms were settled on her waist. Anfial was one of the rare angels, having the undeniable features of a woman. In Heaven, though, this meant nothing; in the eyes of God and those of the other heavenly creatures, sex meant nothing.

“God does not want to speak with anyone.” Anfial spat.

Michael crossed his arms over his chest, staring down the keeper of the celestial hall. “And why is that, warden?” his asked, his voice soft.

Anfial narrowed her harsh eyes. “The case with the Garden of Eden has troubled Him. Half the angels up here have gone crazy, because a few saw Jophiel’s frightened and hastened run here. The other 63 wardens of the celestial halls are having a hard time calming them down. God has given us specific orders not to let anyone into His chambers, except the Seraphims.”

Sandalphon looked at Anfial with a worried expression. “Has all this worry been caused by Adam and Eve?”

Anfial nodded with slight annoyance. “Azrael is taking it the hardest. He has the responsibility of writing down the names of the newly born and the newly dead. He received the word from God only moments ago.”

Michael’s whispered something beneath his breath. He shook his head angrily. “Who knows what will happen with Adam and Eve out there. They’ll have hordes of children and Azrael won’t be fit to help if anything happens.”

“Don’t blame me. It would be best to take your argument up with Uriel and Jophiel.” Anfial said with a sneer. She pushed through the two Archangels and turned her back to the door; holding out her left hand a sword appeared. Anfial pointed the blade at the two. “As I was saying, no one is allowed to see God. Leave before I force you to.”

“There is no need to draw your weapon, Anfial.” Michael hissed. He pushed the blade away with a look of disgust. “I know not to disobey His wishes.”

Anfial stood straight, bringing the sword across her chest. She lifted her chin slightly and she looked down her nose at the two. “Good. Now, I must beseech you to leave. May God smile on thee.” The red-haired angel gave a deep bow.

Sandalphon and Michael bowed quickly. They both turned and began to walk away, Michael muttering beneath his breath angrily. The voices of the Seraphims began to rise and grow with intensity. Both Archangels paused and turned, looking at the door. Anfial’s eyes were wide with wonder and she turned to look at the door herself.

Michael and Sandalphon turned and hurried from the celestial hall as their head seemed to throb with indescribable pain. The voices of Seraphims still followed them, somewhat haunting in their way. Each voice, in unison, called out the words, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”