I’m so sorry that updating takes me so long. I wish I was better at it, but writer’s block has been really bad lately. I’m gonna try really hard to update more often, especially because we’re really don’t have too much left to go until the end. So with that said, I’ll let you get reading. Enjoy

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All seven archangels were already gathered together by some stroke of luck. They were talking in a circle, but when Gabriel saw our approaching group coming, he cleared his throat and the others broke the circle to stand in a line. Then I saw that the reason the archangels were all there together was not luck, but Sophia. She stood behind the line of seven archangels, refusing to meet my eye.

On either side of our two groups, a crowd was gathering. It was unsurprising, really. It was rare to see all seven archangels gathered together. Angels were like humans in that respect. When something promises to be exciting, they crowd together, even if it has the possibility of turning dangerous.

The six of us stepped up, further separating ourselves from the rest of the crowd. I took in the sight of the seven angels before us.

Haniel, the only female archangel, stood on the farthest left, her pale white skin almost glowing, contrasting with her chocolate brown hair. Going right, Uriel was next, standing with his hands behind his back in almost a military pose. Next was Raphael, his golden hair tied back as was typical for healing angels. Michael stood in the middle of the seven, watching our line calmly. Next, I saw that Gabriel was the only one not watching our group, his blue eyes cast down. The last two were the brothers, Ariel and Azrael. The shorter one, Ariel, nudged Azrael and whispered something. The taller brother nodded, watching Douma and Ramiel.

After a few more moments, Michael spoke. “We’ve been told that you have a solution to our problem,” he announced, addressing our group. “We have been told what it consist of, but we would like to hear it from you.”

I nodded and took a half-step forward. “The humans think they no longer need us,” I began, speaking not only to the archangels, but to those gathered as well. “Maybe they don’t know that they are slowly abandoning us. But whether or not they realize this doesn’t change the fact that if we don’t do something about it soon, we will cease to exist. I propose that we do something now, before it’s too late.”

“And what exactly is it that you are proposing?” Azrael asked pointedly.

“We speed up the time it takes for the humans’ technology to fail.” The crowd began to mutter, but I couldn’t tell if they liked the proposal or not. “If we take matters into our own hands, we can control any damage that my result. We would end up not only saving ourselves, but also the humans that will die if we just let the inevitable happen,” I concluded, stepping back in line with the others and watching the archangels carefully. They in turn studied me and the five next to me, occasionally sharing glances with each other. The angels crowded around were also murmuring their opinions to their neighbors.

“This plan does not guarantee that there will be no casualties,” Haniel pointed out, her voice high and clear, almost childlike.

“No, it does not,” I conceded. “But it will greatly reduce them.”

Haniel still didn’t look happy. “I would prefer that we come up with something that does not risk losing lives.” Ariel and Azrael nodded in agreement, as did many of the angels in the crowd.

I heard Xaphan sigh impatiently to my left. I nudged him lightly in the arm with my elbow. Keeping my own irritation under control, I said, “We don’t have the time to think of something else. A few human lives are a small price to pay for our entire existence.”

It became dead quiet. Gabriel’s blue eyes were wide, and the brothers were eyeing me with distaste. Haniel raised a small hand to her mouth in shock, and Uriel was staring at me coldly. Only Michael and Raphael kept their expressions calm.

“I cannot believe that an angel – much less a former guardian – would say such a coldhearted thing,” Uriel said harshly.

“And I can’t believe that you would rather risk the lives of humans and angels alike waiting for a solution that doesn’t exist! It seems I am not the only coldhearted one here,” I snapped, stung by the guardian comment.

Uriel stiffened. “I will not tolerate your insolence, boy.”

“Uriel, enough,” Michael said quietly. He turned to me. “I think it is clear that your proposal does not meet the needs of our situation. If you come up with a way to preserve all life, please come to us again.”

That was his way of dismissing us. The crowd, still muttering, began to thin. I could tell that the others were waiting for me; they would stay with me, whatever might happen. I did not want to give up so easily.

“Cowards. All of you.” I wasn’t loud, but it was still clearly heard.

“Lucifer, leave now,” Michael said, his usually gentle voice hard. Good, I was getting to him.

“Or what? You’ll bring your almighty wrath down on me?” I knew I was being reckless, talking to the most powerful angels like this. But it was too late to turn back now.

“Something like that.”

I tensed, muscles quivering slightly, shoulder aching, and I could see the others doing the same, reading themselves. “Bring it.” Then I launched myself at Michael.

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I hope that was okay and that you don’t hate me too much for taking so long. You guys are amazing for sticking with this and my incredibly infrequent updates and I love you for it. Please tell me what you think!