Black and White

---Chapter 1: Heaven Sent---

My arrival was discreet. The sun hadn't risen yet. And in mortal time, maybe it was 4:00, dawn. The whole place was quiet, except for the bark of a dog on a nearby house. I was grateful that no mortal had seen me, else, it would have been something difficult to explain.

I fell from the sky in a ball of light, and my wings ached from the impact. It was the only transportation meant for us angels. I was here on a mission together with my brother, but he came here a few months before me.

I sighed and tied the gold sash, meant to hide my wings while in the mortal world, around my waist, and watched as my wings and halo vanished. Then a black van pulled up two blocks away from my position, and five teenege men came out of it and walked towards me. I knew who were they:the Archangels.

Father told me that they would meet me here. But as soon as I realized how many they were, I realized that the problem was worse that it was.

Two months ago in June, Gabriel the messenger had told me that I was assigned to go down to Earth, and the Holy Father would like to speak to me. Yes, God. My Father told me that demons and half-demons-- also called the fallen angels-- are raging throughout a certain town. He told me he already sent the seven archangels to come down to earth.

"Then there is nothing to worry about. Michael and the others are strong" I told The Father. He smiled at me.

"My dear, even the strongest can fail. Even angels" Then His expression turned sad." I created you to guide, to help men, but for a milennia, the mortals have become arrogant, and they refused to pray, they refused to ask help from us. They ignore us greatly, but I still I love them. They are My children. And I shall give help whenever it is needed"

"I will not let evil take over. That is why I can't ignore such a problem." He continued "Now go, and destroy what evil there is on that city." He said.

So here I am, here in Earth and, it's not exactly my idea of vacation.

One of the guys with blonde hair came to me. Of course recognized him: he was my brother, Gabriel the Warrior.

"Gabriel!"I gave him a bear hug. Even though we've only parted for a short period, I missed him so. 

"Whoa... A little control would be nice" I looked up at him expecting a scolding, but I saw a goofy smile plastered on his face. I smiled. Then, I looked at the others, and my tone turned serious.

"How are you Gabe? Father says you need help" I told him. I haven't heard from him since he left until Father told me himself.

"A lot of help" he corrected. The he sighed,  and I could see how the mess in this town has made him weary. " There are a lot of problems lately. We're thankful that you're here"

Michael, Uriel and the other three angels nodded gravely. Not exactly my thought for a good greeting. But the times are hard. I could tell it by the looks on their faces. The rest of the Archangels were also in human form, but they retained their beautiful facades. I could already imagine how hard it was for the angels to move, especially if every human has eyes on you.

"Come. We should go. You shall start by 8:00 on this day" Michael said, and herded me to the van."Do you know where you're going to start?" he asked.

"Yes. I am assiged in a school called Stradtford Academy for the Gifted. A lot of half-demons in there" I replied. They said a 'school' is where human children learn different 'subjects' to prepare for  'work'. Since I am a newbie, I need a lot of help from everyone.

"Exactly" Uriel nodded as the others climbed into the vehicle. "Which is why Gabriel will accompany you on this mission."

Gabriel gave me a thumbs up, and I had to smile. Despite the whole the-city-is-full-of demons-and half-breeds thing going on in this place, he still manages to joke around. But in angel mode, he's the most strict brother you could have. Probably worse than principals in mortal schools.

I climbed inside the van, and the rest of them piled inside with me and my brother. When the engine roared to life and we set off, I finally noticed something was wrong. One Archangel was missing: Raguel.

"Where's Raguel?" I asked, looking around them. Uriel was driving, Remiel was on the front seat with him, then me, Gabriel, Michael, Saraqael, and Raphael were on the front seat. Everyone was silent this time.

"What happened to him?" I asked once again, with more force on my voice.

"He-he's gone" Saraqael replied with a pained expression. "The demons slayed him when we had an unfortunate encounter.." his hands were balled into fists as I felt his anger.

"What?!" I felt my stomach drop."Impossible! You-" I couldn't continue any longer as grief gripped my heart and anger filled my lungs.

"Calm down, Haniel" said Gabriel, putting an arm around my shoulder, trying to comfort me. I sobbed into his shirt, feeeling the hot tears spill into the fabric.

"We'll get him back" said Michael, his voice cracking a little. "Father will find a way. He always does"

I did not know how long I cried, and by the time the car stopped, Gabriel had to carry me inside to that building the mortals call a 'condominium'. I didn't bother to say goodbye to my other brothers and didn't hear what Michael said to Gabriel, for I merely stared at the light that the lobby shed, thinking how Raguel's light no longer shone.