A STRANGER FROM ABOVE

Both Desmond and Gabriel find themselves occupying space in a restaurant which had the labe 'SWEET DINNER'. One of the workers came and asked for their order.

Desmond: I'll like to have some soft drink ?

Gabriel : And I'll like to have fried rice with a good soft drink.

Servant: Okay sir.

Desmond: (as the man walked away) Wait can he see you ?

Gabriel : It's not like he can see me when ever he comes around but only when I make myself visible to him.

Desmond: Okay. Now, tell me something. What exactly do you know about me that I don't ?

Gabriel : Really ? Now you want to know ?

Desmond: Just go straight to the point.

Gabriel : Why not let me finish my meal before, I'm starving .(As the food was served on the table) Please!

Desmond: Fine.

Gabriel : (As he put one spoon of the food into his mouth) Wooow! What an amazing dish. With the exception of heaven I think this is the world with the most delicious food so far.

Desmond: Just hurry and let's talk.

Few moments later...

Gabriel : *BELCH... That was such a magical moment I had. Oh my can I have another one?

Desmond: Stop messing around.

Gabriel : Well, there is nothing special about you that you don't know. In other words you're just a cherubu. However, you were once a great soldier of mine. Your strength, power and talent was one which anyone would have wish for if they had the chance. You were one of the greatest I ever knew despite your rank . Until that day came. When the fallen angels came trying to rule over heaven. That was when you died. I pleaded with God to bring you back but He agreed on only one condition. He asked me to select among my desciples one who I'll like to be revived. But they will have to live in the human world. That was the only way to pay you my dept so I accepted without questioning Him because you were all I wanted to see again. You always admired me back in those days. You always wanted to become an archangel. Someone who who had the sovereignty to save others and this is the only opportunity for you.

Desmond: Really ?(With his eyebrows raising up). You espect me to believe all this. *Chuckle

Gabriel: You can judge from what has already happened so far.

Desmond: I know there is a lot happening outside right now but what you're saying is...

Gabriel: I don't espect you to just believe me like that but as time goes on you'll soon understand.

Desmond: Listen, I only agreed to this because I want to save my family and I have no any other aim. That's all I bet my life on.

Gabriel: (As he nodded slowly) That's fine.

Desmond: Can I ask for a favor.

Gabriel : Go ahead.

Desmond: Since you claim to know me better can you please help me out with my power.

Gabriel : Well that is not a big deal. Angelic powers is not something you have to work so hard to activate. But... I will show you the trick once I am done with the second round. (More food was served together with his finishing statement)

Desmond: Hey, who's going to pay for all that?

Gabriel : (Whiles he starts to dig in) You of course.

Desmond: You quite remember I quit my job right?

Gabriel : But you never quit your account, did you?

Desmond: Hey stop joking around.

Gabriel : *laugh, Okay

Later that afternoon, they arrived in the middle of a very thick quite forest far far away from town. All that could be heard was the squeaks and chirps of the forest dwellers. They stood opposite each other.

Desmond: Now what ?

Gabriel : Can you show me that glowing trick again?

Desmond: Well not sure of how I did it but guess I'll have to try.

Gabriel : Okay, let's give it a shot.

Desmond stood upright with his chest out and legs a bit opened and said , "Here we go", as be closed his eyes and crossed his arms to trigger his energy but it was a fail.

Gabriel: What are you doing squeezing your butt like you want to poop.(Desmond stopped, stared at the mocking angel for a second and then took a deep breath)

Desmond: Let's try again.(He stood with his chest out, shoulders up, legs opened apart, shuts his eyes and closed his "V" positioned arms. Just then a massive amount of wind started to blow from nowhere.

Gabriel : Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.(In an instant Desmond disappeared)

The blowing wind disappeared and the whole forest remaide quiet leaving Gabriel standing bewildered.

Gabriel: Where are you... This is not funny okay. Now get back here before I change my mind. Desmond! DESMOND!

A fiery huge sword descended from the sky and buried itself to the ground right Infront of Gabriel. He looked surprised not to the mysterious sight. He then transformed back to his original form and ascended into the sky to a point where he found a mascular looking man glaring at him. The strange man had no wings but in an armor with his arms folded.

Gabriel : What's with the look? Did you lost your emotions or what? [Trying to cheer the man ]

???: [Replying in a very deep voice] What do you think you are doing? Do you think we have we have all the time in the world? Playing around like you have nothing to focus on . Does someone have to come and ask you to perform your duty before you do so ?

Gabriel : Come on bro...

???: I am not here to chit chat with you okay? You know very well that we are dealing with the worst enemies of all time yet you seem to be abandoning your task . Slow moves won't work. Get out of here, I'll call you when I need you.

Gabriel : I'm sorry it's just that he...

???: This is an order as your senior.

Gabriel : As you wish [ He responded and disappeared at once]

Desmond found himself falling from the sky but did not think twice of who could have done this to him as fear hugged him and his heart trying its possible best to escape through his mouth.

Desmond: AAAAAAAAAH! [ Thoughts begun to linger his head] How could he? What was he thinking? Does he take me as a new bird learning how to fly or what? Damn, if I don't do something It'll all be over soon.

???: Humph [As he watch him from afar with his arms still folded].

Desmond: [Still falling from the sky] I'm almost to the ground, damn, what should I do? Think of something head, think of something! Is this how my life is going to end? I wished to die before but not anymore, not when I have a chance to change things. What is the solution... Wait a sec, that's it. If I let myself down I won't die just like before. I can't die.[ Just then he heard a voice in his head]

???: Don't be a fool. You will die if you let that happen.

Desmond: [ Bewildered] Wh... Who is there. And where are you?

???: Is that what you are worried about now. [ Despite where he was he communicated to Desmond through the use of energy]

Desmond: [Going back to mind his business] Damn he's right. My life is at stake here and I'm here asking questions about a strange voice. Well, what's the use of trying when I know it's hopeless.

???: [In a roar] Why will you think like that?

Desmond: [To himself] What? He can hear my thoughts?

???: Yes I can

Desmond: Could this be God?

???: Just shut it, will you?

Desmond:...

???: Who is your Lord? Who created the heavens and earth? Who is the master of judgement?

Desmond: [ He asked himself] Now what's with the question?

???: [ He continues] Who is the giver of life? Who sees all? Who has the greatest intelligence ever ?

Desmond:[Out of fright] No, no, NOOOO!

With just an inch to the ground his body paused for a second and reversed back into the sky, slowed down for a moment and he once again begun to fall as the voice warned.

???: I'm giving you just one more chance to save yourself. Once you fail then it's all over.

Desmond: [To himself] For a moment I felt like someone was holding me, but it...[ As the voice interrupted]

???:This is the count down to your life. I'll ask you for the last time. Who is your Lord? Who created the heavens and earth? Who is the master of the last day?

Desmond: If I'm supposed to give you an answer then it's no big deal. [In a loud voice] There is only one who creates and reign, he is the giver of life and the one who master on the last day. He is the God my Lord thy Lord.

???: Who has the right to be worshipped? Who has the right to choose you a path? Who is the key to life and death? Who is the king of Kings?

Desmond: There is only one who reings all worlds and manipulate everything within being. There is no power like His and there can never be anything like Him, He is the God of all gods.

???: Who can save you from your current position?

Desmond: [ Using his arms to cover his face has he drew close to the ground and scream] EL-SHADDAI !

Thunder roared for a sec and the weather gradually begun to change as the young man was astonished to what had happened to him. "Huh!" He exclaimed as he found himself floating in the air. A pair of two beautiful white wings fixed to his back as he used them like he already knew how to. Ascending into the clouds and enjoying the moment of flight as he has never had the moment to experience how it felt like suspending in air without a machine. After a moment of taking a flight he slowly ascended to the ground as the voice questioned.

???: How do you feel ?

Desmond: [ As he landed to the ground and taking a look at himself] I don't really know what the feeling is but I kind of feel different. Is this power? Wooow! It's amazing.

A sword from nowhere just buried itself to the ground from above bewilding the young man.

???: Get ready for phase two.

Desmond: [Staring at the sword] Wait, are you kidding me?

???: You have to choose an opponent to fight against. [ As Desmond picks up the sword] It's going to be a death mach. No rules.

Desmond: I have to choose someone to kill me ? Noway, I'm not going to do that.

???: Either I kill you or you choose. Four to choose from, one, Archangel Gabriel, two, Archangel Ramiel, three, Archangel Raphael and four Archangel Saraqael. You have twenty seconds to choose. You fight all four when time runs out. Time starts.

Desmond: That's insane, *sigh. Okay, option four is out of choice. Archangel Raphael, only heard about him. Archangel Ramiel don't think I can match with someone like that . Archangel Gabriel, I've met him but don't know anything about his abilities only heard of them. Wait how about mine. [To the voice] Hey wait a sec, how do I fight someone with powers when I don't even know how to trigger mine.

???:[ Ignoring him] You have ten seconds.

Desmond: Are you even listening to me? [No reply] Damn it, [ thinks for a moment and finally snaps his finger] that's it, I'll stay with my choice. That'll be safer.

???:Three... two...

Desmond: I choose Archangel Gabriel.

???: Archangel Gabriel at your service.

Desmond steadily watching closely into the woods and ready to strike if his opponent shows up as he held the sword horizontally close to his face. He waited for a moment until the time came when he saw a shadow on the ground as lighting flashed. Looking at the sword's blade he found something coming from above with an attack. This activated his curiosity commanding him to look up only to see a blade descending upon him. He dashed out of the way before it landed on his head. Turning to the rare he saw Gabriel standing before him but not him really. He held a very fiery sword in his hand while his body armored in a silvery battery suit. He looked mascular than always with a pair of two beautiful glowing Wings embedded in his back.

???: Kill him [He commandes]

Gabriel : As you wish sir.

Desmond: What! [ As sweat runs down his face] Is this some kind of a night mere or what?

Gabriel : *smirk, you challenged me to a one on one death match and that's why I've been summoned here.

Desmond: What has come over you?

Gabriel : Your weakness did this to me. Anyway thank you very much for the opportunity. It's been years ever since my blade fed on flesh.

Desmond: [ Looking at the damage Gabriel's landing caused to the ground] Can I please forfeit ?

Gabriel : There is no turning back once an angel accepts an offer and right now I have accepted to kill you. Nothing can change my mind from here [ walking towards Desmond]

Desmond: Hey calm down [ moving backwards]

Gabriel : I'm sorry but I have to do this?

Fear possessed Desmond's soul as the eager angel horizontally swung his giant sword at the scared young man who managed to dodge it as the air waves slashed anything that came its way. Desmond upon seeing this took onto his heels as sweat run down his chin. Gabriel again jumped to Desmond and diagonally swung his sword at him as he once more made another dodge, seeked for an escape route and took off again as the unhesitating angel followed him from behind.

Desmond: Damn it, this guy is on a whole level himself. I never signed up for this.

???: Running will send you nowhere. Don't forget you are on a spherical object. You come back to your start point after a circumnavigation around it so you are only wasting your time.

In a a very long building sat four people around a huge conference table with angels standing behind each person. One of them included Tracy who had Angel Raphael watching her back.

Tracy: I met him but it seems like he's not ready. He looked very tensed and confused at the same time. He didn't even know what's happening. I suggest we proceed without him.

???: [ A young man seated opposite Tracy] Why do you think abandoning him will do us a favor? He's one of us and no matter his condition at the moment we'll have to get him in the team. We need each other.

Tracy: [ Referring to the young man in glasses seated at her right] What are you saying Gilbert? People are dying right now, don't you think going ahead is better than waiting for the tortoise to join us?

???:[A young beautiful lady sitting beside her] well we are doing the best we can at the moment . Let's focus on that for now before taking any order step, what do you think Ramiel? [ Referring to the beautiful male angel standing behind her]

Ramiel:[ In an animation voice] It's not a bad idea Elli.

Tracy: I totally disagree.

Elizabeth: What do you think Gilbert?

Gilbert :well I'll only agreed to that which is the best, or what do you suppose we do Uriel? Any ideas ? [ Referring to the angel behind him]

Uriel : Nothing to say master.

???: Tell me Elli, what did you discover in your investigation?

Elizabeth: Ramiel [ she ordered]

Ramiel:A new religion has been created to worship a new God at the north east of Africa. A golden statue happened to have appeared from nowhere to a small town in Egypt near the coast. It has the face of an animal I can't describe but it had a pair of huge horns which held a shinny plate. Anyone who denies the religion is burnt into ashes.

Elizabeth: And these ashes are collected to the the idol which turns it to gold dust.

Tracy: That's terrible.

Ramiel: They sing and praise it saying, "hail lord Mammon".

Uriel : [An angel who holds wisdom in hand] Mammon, one of the seven princes of hell, synonymous with greed, money and pursuit of material comforts above all else. Many believed him to be a concept...

Gilbert : But then if he seeks for followers in his religion there can be only one thing in touch. To gain more power.

Uriel : We all know the taste for riches in humans. If people accept and worship him, it slowly diminishes the existence of God. The more people forget God the weaker He becomes. Although not all will turn away but most surely will, talking about humanity.

???: So they've taken a big step already?

Tracy: So should we, what do you say team?

???: What do you think ? [Referring to the gorgeous looking she angel standing right behind him as she replied in a small voice]

???: We wait Vlad (his name)

Vladimir : You heard her.

Terrified Desmond kept running for his precious life while he mummers to himself.

Desmond: What should I do at this point? I don't know for how long I've been running but my legs feel very heavy for my body. I might just drop down at any point [ Then the voice said to him]

???: It's been three hours every since you started this run.

Desmond: Damnit, and what's wrong with this guy? [ Referring to angel Gabriel]

???: For your information you've been running in circles so escaping is out of question.

Desmond: That's crazy.

???: Just look at you. Running for your life in a small duell yet you took an oath yourself to to save them. You are not worthy of anything kid. You are hopeless to this world and your family as well. Struggling to save yourself from a duell how much more a battle?

Desmond: How could he...

Gabriel : That's enough

He dashed towards Desmond and stopped waiting for him as he drew near with a swing and Gabriel knocked it out of his hand and punched him hard to the ground. Gasping for breath as he succeeded in raising up his weak heavy body and panting loudly.

Gabriel : Take a deep breath to regain your strength. I hate fighting the weak.

Desmond: [He undoubtedly did so and regained his strength] Wow!

???: Are you done running or you still want a way to escape your death. *Chuckle, well don't bother cause no one needs you. They were never your...[ Hardly did he finish]

Desmond: Don't bring them into this. I can't tolerate that anymore.

???: So you think you are worthy of them. You think you can save them with that heart of yours. Don't be a fool. You are nothing but a coward.

Desmond: Yes they are my family and of course I am worthy of them. Believe me, anything you say against them shall be used to feed you.

???: Like seriously? I'll like to see you try. And how are you going to do that?

Desmond: You are about to find out.

He said as he raised his fist close to his face with agression ready to pounce on his prey.

Gabriel : You sure you want to do it this way.

Desmond: Are you scared or what?

Gabriel : Well you asked for it [Pointing his sword at Desmond as it disappears and a silvery fighting glove coveres his arms].

He hit his fists together as they emitted sparks of fire along with a scary smirk. Lighting flashed as they both dashed towards each other.