The Archangel's Search

Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night - W. Shakespeare

Before departure to Earth…

“Brother, are you sure?” asked Raphael, the Angel of Healing and the youngest of the seven. “You are going to give the leadership to me? But why?”

Michael smiled at his handsome brother with his dark hair and bright green eyes and clapped his hand over Raphael’s bare shoulder. His youngest brother had been training hard and each time, Michael saw him become a better fighter. “Because I trust you Ralph and the other angels respect you. Think of the job as warming my seat when I get back with my wife.”

“I have a horrid feeling that I might screw up somehow”, said Ralph sadly. “Brother, you can’t leave just yet! We have to deal with the stupid Greek Gods who were minutes away from fucking up humanity at the Battle of Troy. They are still restless and there are rumours that Zeus will be appealing to the Father for a second chance. And then there’s…”

Michael held up his hand to quieten his brother and without a word, he handed over his warrior’s sword to Raphael, who stared at the brilliance of it. Upon the passing, the sword starting glowing light blue (Raphael’s colour) instead of white (Michael’s colour). “Please”, Michael asked quietly. “Please look after the throne. I must find my archress before something happens to her. I fear Lucifer might try to corrupt her or Samael might try to claim her.”

Michael growled at the mention of his older brother, Samael. They were almost twins, both with blue eyes and blonde hair but Samael’s hair was more of a pale blonde than gold like Michael’s. They were once inseparable but Samael refused to fight against Lucifer, his brother, causing them to be on bad terms with each other.

When the Father rewarded Michael with an archress of his own, Samael went angry with jealousy and demanded his own. When the Father sent the archress’ spirits down to Earth, Samael followed after them and left his brothers and sisters to fend for themselves against Lucifer’s attack.

Shaking his head to rid himself of sad memories, Michael took a final look at his brother, trying to ingrain the image of his loyal brother in his memory. To be completely honest, Michael didn’t know when he would return to the Gloria, the main and largest safe-haven for angels but he didn’t want to worry his young brother. Finally, it was time to go and with one last brotherly hug, Michael spread out his large pure white wings and flew down to Earth.

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New York City 2013

Michael looked at his three brothers and saw how happy they were with their soul mates. They were in an Italian diner because apparently, Aimee, the kindergarten teacher felt that they weren’t getting together enough. For heaven’s sake, we live in the same manor together; Michael wanted to shout at the blonde archress, who was feeding her husband, Sealtiel.

He knew that it was his fault for getting take out after work at the police station and he only did that on the days that Aimee cooks. He would prefer a whole fatty pizza to himself than a vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free three course meal any day. Also, he didn’t want to see Aimee’s hazel doe eyes tearful and sad when he pushes his meal away.

Aimee was the sensitive one, who cried when she watched the news and from experience, Michael knew that she would be a poor soldier and a poor guardian angel. If they ever returned to the Gloria, Michael had no idea what she would be good at. He would like to see the petite archess display some bravery and he hoped that his own archess would be brave and strong. Besides that, he was glad that she made Sealtiel happy.

At the sight of them, Michael pained. I will not be jealous, he told himself. For it is beneath me and I will find her soon.

Against his better judgement, Michael noted the way his brothers acted around their wives. Gabriel, the messenger angel, was playing with his wife, Maryanne’s brown curls while telling her about his day at the fire station. Maryanne was willowy in physique like a model and works as a swimming instructor. She had this sixties glamour thing with sultry eyes and flawless skin. Gabriel met her on a random run in central park in the early hours of the morning.