Wings: Recollections

Ezekijah watched as the Archangel Michael paced through the halls of Intelligence Headquarters. He knew the Supreme Commander was waiting anxiously for any news of his former Mission Partner, Ariel Windsailer. She had disappeared a few days ago, and no one knew what had happened. Finally, Michael sighed and walked off, down one of the halls. If you had been there, silent and invisible, and decided to follow him, you would have seen him step to the left at the first oppurtunity, and walk through several dimly-lit corridors. Then, if you continued to observe, you would have seen him turn right into a door marked “MEDITATION CHAMBER”. You would then see a room with dimmed lights and small seats, one of which Michael would sit down on.

And if you were also gifted with the ability to read minds, you would know that Michael was reminiscing on the many experiences he had shared with Ariel Windsailer. It all began in the Great War, when Satan, then called Lucifer, had attempted to take over heaven. It was at this time that he had been made a General of Heaven’s Interim Army, and his Mission Partner was a lovely red-haired young angel named Ariel. She had not yet gained the title of Windsailer, but it would not be long in coming. They were the most zealous of the Maker’s warriors. He recalled the two armies lining up for battle, vast legions commencing an eternal war. He recalled thousands upon millions of the Fallen standing against him.

He recalled how Lucifer had chosen to hide his Lion, Ox, and Eagle faces within a human-like head, a choice only he, of all the Cherubim, had ever made. He recalled that pale face and messy, yet handsome blonde hair, greeting him from the front of the enemy lines. He remembered, and in his mind’s eye he saw the powerful white light of his Creator blasting through the fallen ranks, himself and Ariel riding it like a wave of purity, striking down the rebels with passionate zeal. He remembered watching as the rebels were routed, as Satan’s face was twisted and deformed, as he fell, lightning crackling about his hands and body, pulling his hood up to hide his disfigured visage. He recalled standing at the edge of heaven, routing the last of the rebels, then lifting his flaming longsword and shouting his battle cry of “MY-KAY-EL!”, meaning,  “Who is like unto my God?”. He remembered the aftermath of the battle, the passionate embrace he had shared with Ariel, and the work he had done rebuilding Heaven.

He remembered his promotion to Supreme Commander of the now-permanent Heavenly Armed Forces. Although she didn’t know it beforehand like he did, that was the same day she was called to be the Hand of Mercy on the Angelic Triumvirate. She accepted gladly, and though they were no longer Mission Partners, their relationship continued to grow.

A short while later, they were once again on a mission together, when Michael decided to personally oversee the First Battle of N’Krar. This particular Spiritual Realm Shatterpoint could be the scales on which much of the war hinged, so Michael decided he should go himself. It just so happened that The Triumvirate had assigned Ariel to go too, so they wound up working together once more. He recalled racing toward the shatterpoint on guilded wings, confronting Ichabod. In his mind’s eye he saw himself once more striking down that fallen spirit and blasting the rest of his army back to Hell by driving his flaming longsword into the Shatterpoint of N’Krar. He remembered speaking with Ariel after the battle.

He recalled the gentle touch of her hand upon his face as she wished him farewell. He recalled flying toward Heaven hand in hand with her, then releasing her hand as she flew to her own dwelling.

He remembered what happened a few years later. They had kept in touch, but this was the first time they had been on a mission together in a while. It was at the Siege of Atlantis, a few weeks after the Second Great Schism. This time it was Samyaza and the Grigori who left their heavenly stations to dally with human women. So the Maker cast them from Heaven. But that was nothing compared to their next move. In a stunning upset, Samyaza laid siege to Atlantis, City of Angels. The battle was intense, and once more Michael and Ariel were on the front lines. Many Grigori were tsadae’d, but ultimately the Faith Repository was destroyed, and the angels could no longer manifest there. Even he and Ariel were ultimately defeated. Then Samyaza had crushed what was left of Atlantis and begun his reign of terror upon the earth.

He recalled several months after that, when he returned to Heaven after overseeing the Gabriel Ridge campaign. Upon his return, he was shocked to find she had slipped into a coma. It took even the mighty healer Raphael months to figure out what had happened. It turned out, it was some kind of spiritual virus concoted by a demonic splinter group called the Disciples of Mudrack. Much as he wished it, however, he had not been able to personally oversee their crushing defeat.

He recalled hundreds of skirmishes and campaigns, through each and every one of which the two’s bond had strengthened. And he recalled an event of only a week and a half ago, when he had asked her to marry him. She had accepted, but two days later, mysteriously disappeared. For some reason, he got the strange feeling that he was somehow responsible.

The archangel rose from his meditative position. His mind clear, he could derive no more benefit from contemplation. He stepped out of the chamber and into the hall, walking purposefully toward the same corridor he had left an hour or so before. There was no need for him to knock on the door that led to the Intelligence Center; one of the lower-ranking agents immediately came out to greet him.

Michael’s face was firm, betraying only the slightest hint of concern. “Any news?” The younger angel shook his head and sighed. “No, My Lord. Why don’t you head home? It’s getting late. I’ll contact you if anything changes.”

Ezekijah had left several hours ago, and Michael was alone with his own thoughts as he made the long trek home. He could fly, but chose instead to walk, his wings folded limp behind him. 

A/N: Ha Ha! Cliffhanger! OOOO! AAH! Does she ever come back? When? How? Well, I guess you’ll just have to wait.

Acknowledgments begin and end here:

God, for talent, inspiration, and source material.

The End...for now!