Prey: protectors of Arrasia, book 1

Prologue

All around them were the sounds of battle. Moonblades clashed against deathswords. Battle cries cut through the air. Fires burned all around them. Sunswords called upon the flames of the heavens themselves to add more power to the already strong weapons. Bodies of both Angels and Demons littered the ground around them. Gavriel and Rezzeion were not bothered by any of this. The two of them fought back to back, defending each other the way best friends did during a time of war. All of a sudden, Rezzeion turned to Gavriel and said, "When we get out of this, you and I are going out for a drink." Gavriel smiled as he fended off another demon with his Moonblade.
"Leave it to Rezzy to be thinking about food at a time like this," he thought.
"And do I get a say in this little celebration plan of yours?" He asked

Rezzeion shook his head. "It was never up for debate, Gavriel. We're going to celebrate our victory."
"Rezzy I--"" Rezzeion held up a hand to shoot lightning at a demon and to also cut Gavriel off. "I don't want to hear it, Brother. We will win this war. We must win this war, for the children of our Father on earth. So after we send these horrid demons back to Ira and his extremely poor excuse for a parental figure, we're going out for a victory celebration."
He turned to Azriel, their friend and leader of their unit. "Right, Azy?"
Azriel killed the demon he was fighting, shot lightning at three others, then turned to Rezzeion. "That's guardian Azriel to you, Rezeion."
Rezzeion saluted respectfully. "Sorry, Azy," He said. Azriel glared at him for a moment but then smiled. "Right, Rezzeion.."
Rezzeion killed two more demons and then turned back to Gavriel. "See?" He said.
Gavriel was about to reply but Gabriel, the archangel, blew his trumpet. The army of Angels watched as their wounds healed. They gained strength and comfort from the sound of Gabriel's call. They shouted their ancient battle cry in response to the call of that blessed horn.
Gavriel tried to look through the smoke to see if he could spot the Archangels. There they were. Gabriel, Michael, Uriel and the others. They made up a strong defensive line in front of the gates to earth. He could also see a group of Cherubs assisting their Lord in giving orders to the Generals of their army. The Cherubs, of course, would never leave the Lord's side. For it was their duty to defend him. Azriel killed a demon that was about to slay a member of their unit. "Pay attention, Gavriel!" He shouted.
Gavriel caught Gabriel's eye from across the battlefield. The legendary Archangel gave him a curt nod before turning back to the fight. Eriel leapt into the air and flew over to them. "Cain is coming!" He shouted to Azriel. "We and the rest of our units are to assist Generals Uriel and Gabriel at the gates!"
He flew off to gather his unit. Azriel motioned for them to follow. Gavriel, Rezzeion and the other members of their unit hurried after him.
Cain and his black steed rose from the ground, surrounded by a cloak of unfathomable darkness. He rode up to Gabriel and unsheathed his weapon. His winged and horned horse tossed its head, it's dark red eyes fixing upon the nearest angel. Gabriel stepped forward with Uriel at his side. "Long time no see, Gabriel," Cain said. Azriel's and Eriel's units lined up behind the Archangels. Cain swung his sword. Gabriel blocked with his weapon and settled into a defensive stance. "Not even a hello for your old friend?" Asked Cain.
"We," Gabriel said. He blocked another blow and parried with one of his own. "Are not friends."
"You wound me, Gabriel. We've had some good times, have we not?"
"No, we haven't." Gabriel replied.
Gavriel wanted to go to Gabriel but Azriel gave him a warning look. "Don't you move from that spot," He said. "General Gabriel can handle Cain."
Gavriel watched his mentor fighting Cain with a growing sense of unease. All of a sudden, Rezzeion screamed. Gavriel turned in time to see his friend get swallowed by an army of shadows. "Rezzeion!" He cried. He lunged for the shadows but Azriel grabbed him. "No," He said. "That's the army of the Prince of Darkness."
"But Rezzeion!" Cried Gavriel. Azriel shook his head sadly. Out of the corner of his eye, Gavriel saw a demon sneaking up behind Gabriel. He didn't know what came over him. He broke rank and leapt to Gabriel's side. He stabbed and killed the creature before it could take his friend and mentor from him. Gabriel sent Cain back into the pit from which he had arisen and turned to Gavriel. "Thank you for saving my life."
Gavriel bowed respectfully and gazed into Gabriel's eyes. "You have a friend for life, Gavriel." Gabriel said. Gavriel stuttered and tried to get control of his anger at not being able to save Rezzeion.
"Th ' thank you, sir," He managed to blurt out. "Call me Gabriel," Gabriel replied. He held out his hand and Gavriel shook it.
And that was it. Rezzeion vanished and Gavriel spent several thousand years looking for him. He never did find Rezzeion and eventually moved up the ranks to become a Guardian. He never did forget about his best friend ... And Rezzeion never forgot about him either.