XLVII- The Summoning of the Archangels

Uriel stood before the Ruler. He was deep in a bow, his wings spread wide. He was painfully uncomfortable but had not been instructed to stand, so the lower-ranking messenger angel could do nothing but wince as his wings, back, and legs burned.

Zerachiel left the Great Hall. Even from his pained position, Uriel could tell that the Seraphim was miserable and distracted. Seraphim Zerachiel was always in high spirits and chatty, even with the lower-ranking angels. The Seraphim hardly spoke today, and his usually bright hazel eyes appeared dull. Something was wrong in the Kingdom, and Uriel suspected it had something to do with Michael. He had seen everything in the Reflecting Mirror. Uriel was torn; he could ease Zerachiel's mind, but he would have to come clean about how he knew. –Would the truth upset Zerachiel more than knowing nothing at all? – 

After what felt like an eternity, the Ruler finally decided to address Uriel again, allowing him to stand upright and ease his back and wings. Flicking his wings incredibly slightly to allow them to stretch but without alerting the Ruler to his pain, Uriel bowed his head. "How may I be of service, Mighty Ruler?"

The Ruler's mood seemed dark. "Uriel, you are my best messenger. I want you to find two Archangels and bring them to Me. I want Samael and Azrael. They will be told more when they arrive. I will explain their task to them Myself. You are dismissed."

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Uriel bowed and left the Great Hall in search of the Archangels that the Ruler had specified. He was very suspicious of the Ruler's compliment that he was His best messenger. The Ruler had never treated him this well. The compliment made him uneasy- it could only mean the Ruler wanted Azrael and Samael found quickly. There was something deeper than the Ruler's words, and Uriel knew it. But after he had spied on Seraphim Remiel's meeting with the Ruler, Uriel couldn't risk letting on that he knew more than he did.

Uriel decided to quickly detour and find one of the angels missing from the messenger list. Raphael was smarter than most of the angels of all ranks combined and would have answers. Even better, Raphael was predictable and easily found. Uriel darted along the gardens of the library of the Kingdom and swiftly entered the large golden doors, wanting to avoid being detected. There would be punishments if the Ruler found out he deviated from his mission.

Somewhere among the millions of books, Raphael would be found. The easy part was knowing he was here. The hard part was where. Raphael often tucked himself in small places among the books, behind stacks, on top of the shelves, in the nooks, or at a desk if the Seraphim was feeling normal. Uriel looked at the massive library, seeing row upon row of shelves. He tilted his head upward, seeing the second, third, and fourth floors ringing the large open center. The building was truly breathtaking if one could take in its beauty, which Uriel was not often able to do.

Uriel stepped forward, about to begin his search for Raphael. His search was cut short by a voice calling out to him, but not for him.

"Michael?! Is that you?"

Raphael appeared at the intricate railing of the fourth floor of the library. He looked over the edge and noticed Uriel at the entrance of the building. Raphael stepped between the realms, appearing in front of Uriel. "My apologies, Uriel, I thought... I'm sorry. How are you doing today?"

Uriel noticed the same purple hues under Raphael's eyes that he had seen under Zerachiel's. These Brothers were closest to Michael and had not seen him in a while. They were worried about their youngest Brother, and the lack of sleep was evident on their faces.

"I am well, thank you Seraphim Raphael. How have you been?" Uriel politely asked, as if the Seraphim's face did not give away the answer.

"Oh, you know, just keeping busy... um, reading. This." Raphael clumsily held out the book in his hand, which he had not seemed to be paying attention to.

"I'm sure that has been interesting. Say, Seraphim Raphael, I have been sent on a mission to find Archangels Samael and Azrael. Do you happen to know what the Ruler may want the Archs for?"

The remaining color in Raphael's face drained. Uriel had a feeling the answer was not in Michael's favor. "You're sure He said Samael and Azrael? He specifically asked for the Twin Archs?" Raphael pressed Uriel for the answer, and the messenger angel sadly nodded.

"Fuck."

Uriel's grey eyes widened. Raphael never cursed. This must be bad. The messenger trembled a little - he no longer wanted to complete the errand the Ruler sent him on and take the punishment.

"...Seraphim Raphael? What…what do the Archs do? I…I have never met them."

Raphael led Uriel down a long passageway in the library, which appeared long abandoned except for the Seraphim himself. Uriel followed, holding his elbows as he walked, making himself as small as possible. He could hear Raphael mumbling under his breath. Uriel followed the Seraphim to an alcove on the third floor, where Raphael seemed to be sure they would not be heard. He gestured for Uriel to sit.

Raphael lowered himself to the ground across from the messenger, his face stony and severe. Uriel swallowed hard; he had never seen Raphael look like this. He squeezed his eyes shut. "Seraphim Raphael. Please. I need to know. What do the Archs do? The Ruler would not tell me."

Raphael looked pained. "They are the warriors. If Samael and Azrael are being called for, the Ruler is going to hunt Michael. Wherever he has gone, he will be tracked. He will be brought back by force. Samael and Azrael are ruthless, they do not feel. Whatever Michael is doing, he will be stalked, trapped. He will be captured. My Brother is not safe once the Archangels are summoned. The Archs do not fail. This is the beginning of Michael's end."

Uriel recoiled as if Raphael's words slapped him in the face. "Michael is going to Fall."

"Yes, Uriel. If the Ruler is getting the Archs rallied, then Michael is going to Fall."