Angel Warriors: The Serialized Novel

ANGEL WARRIORS

MAJOR AND SUPPORTING CHARACTERS:

God – portrayed as a Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); Creator

ARCHANGELS:

Uriel – {YOUR-e-el} “Fire of God”; one of the Seven Archangels; Seraphim Class; and a Wisdom Archangel
Gabriel – “Strength of God”; one of the Seven Archangels; Seraphim Class; Angel of the Annunciation
Michael – “Who is Like God?”; one of the Seven Archangels; Commander of Heaven’s Army; Seraphim class; Prince of the Seraphim; highest ranking.Archangel in Heaven
Raphael – “Who God Heals”; one of the Seven Archangels; Cherubim Class; Angel of Healing
Lucifer – “Light Bringer”; one of the Seven Archangels; Cherubim and Seraphim Class; the Morning Star; God’s favored angel; Prince of the Cherubim
Ha-Satan – {hah-sah-TAUN}; “The Adversary”; one of the Seven Archangels; second highest ranking Archangel in Heaven; Chief of the Seraphim: after the Fall, known as Satan
UnNamed 1 – 6th Archangel of the Seven Archangels
UnNamed 2 – 7th Archangel of the Seven Archangels
Seraphiel – {SARA-fiel}; Archangel; Judgment Throne Angel
Kemuel – {KIM-yuel}; Archangel; member of the Holy Sefiroth
Zagzagel – {ZAG-za-el}; Archangel; Arngel of Wisdom
Jehoel – {JA-hoel}; Seraphim archangel
Cherubiel – {CHAIR-ah-bee-el}; Archangel, Cherubim Class; guardian of the Tree of Life
Sarriel – {SAR-REE-el}; Archangel; Cherubnim class

ANGELS:

Mihdael – {MUH-dale}; Angel warrior; Lt. Commander, second-in-command of the Army; Captain of the First Legion; Commander of the Sentinels of Eden.
Idrael – {I-draw-el}; Angel warrior; Fourth in command of the Army; Third in command of the Sentinels of Eden
Donyael – {DONYA-el}; Angel warrior, Captain of the 1st Legion; later, a General
Liftheon – {LIF-thee-on}; Angel warrior; Third in command of the Army; 2nd in command of the Sentinels of Eden; (later, Captain of the First Legion)
Rhymiel – {rye-ME-el}; Angel Warrior; Captain 2nd Legion
Khemuel – {KIM-mu-el}; Angel Warrior; Captain 3rd Legion
Asiriel – {a-SEAR-re-el}; Angel Warrior; Captain 4th Legion; Sentenial
Adriel – {a-DREE-el}; Angel Warrior; Captian 5th Legion; Sentenial
Jaeoel – {JAY-oel}; Angel Warrior; Captain 6th Legion
J’Hadiel – {JAH-DEE-el} Angel Warrior; Captain 7th Legion
Kintenu –{KENT-too}; Angel Warrior; Captain 8th Legion
Zhadkiel – {zad-KEE-el}; Angel Warrior; Captain 9th Legion
H'Jabin – {JA-bin} Angel Warrior; Captain 10th Legion
Matafiel – {MATT-a-feel}; Angel Warrior; Captain of 11th Legion; Sentinel
Thurion – {THUR-ee-on}; Angel Warrior; Captain 12th Legion; Sentinel
Kiros – {KEER-ose}; Herald Angel
Magrel – {ma-GRILL}; Herald Angel
Azael – {AS-ZA-el}; Angel
Salathiel – {SAL-la-thee-al}; Angel; tunes the frequencies of the Spheres
Kahiel – {KAH-heel}; Angel warrior; longbow warrior; Sentinel
Laviel – {LAV-e-el}; Angel warrior; longbow warrior; Sentinel

DEMONS:

Zheron – {ZEER-on}; demonic leader banished to another dimension
Belial – {Buh-LIE-al} One of Lucifer’s generals
Astaroth – {AST-ar-oth} One of Lucifer’s generals
Asmodeus – {as-MOE-de-us}; an Old One; leader of the Old Ones
Xanthon – {Zann-THON}; an Old One; co-leader of the Old Ones

**************************************************

CONTENTS:

SECTION I -- CREATION

LIST OF CHARACTERS
PROLOGUE: The Creation of Angels
•Chapter One – Archangel’s Dilemma
•Chapter Two -- The Creation of Mihdael
•Chapter Three – Lessons Learned
•Chapter Four – Demon Encounter
•Chapter Five -- The Creation of Eden
•Chapter Six – The Sentinels
•Chapter Seven – God’s Decree
•Chapter Eight – The Challenge
•Chapter Nine – The Petition
•Chapter Ten – Dissention
•Chapter Eleven – The Conspiracy
•Chapter Twelve – Rebellion
•Chapter Thirteen – Judgment
•Chapter Fourteen – Eve of War

SECTION II -- REBELLION

•Chapter FIFTEEN – The War in Heaven: Beginning
•Chapter SIXTEEN -- The War in Heaven: Conclusion
•Chapter SEVENTEEN – Ultimate Triumph
•Chapter EIGHTEEN – Ultimate Tragedy
•Chapter NINETEEN -- Elena/Atonement Part 1
•Chapter TWENTY – Elena/Atonement Part 2
•Chapter TWENTY-ONE – Mihdael's Judgment

SECTION III -- REPARATION

•Chapter TWENTY-TWO – Mihdael's Mission
•Chapter TWENTY-THREE -- Xanthon: Demon of Duplicity
•Chapter TWENTY-FOUR – Xanthon's Escape
•Chapter TWENTY-FIVE – Mihdael vs. Xanthon
•Chapter TWENTY-SIX – The Warrior Falls
•Chapter TWENTY-SEVEN – The Human Factor
•Chapter TWENTY-EIGHT – Xanthon's Victory
•Chapter TWENTY-NINE – Faith vs. Failure
•Chapter THIRTY – Redemption

I am Angel

Three small words that encompass my Eternity:
Heaven’s Warrior,
Mankind’s Defender,
And God’s Servant.

Created by God to be His Warrior.
To be Archangel Michael’s Second-in-Command;
To be more than any other Angel had ever been.
Purity, innocence, and perfection comprised my being, my spirit, and my heart.
And yet, I challenged each of those qualities…
***
Such was, and now is, my life:
As it began, as revealed to me;
As it transformed, as experienced by me;
As it reached fulfillment, as formed from me.
The culmination of an Angel Warrior.
***
I am called Mihdael,
and this is how I came to be…

ANGEL WARRIORS

Part 1: Creation

Chapter 1 - Creation of Angels

In The Beginning…

The Trinity looked over the Void; and God, the Creator of the Trinity, envisioned the possibilities therein.

He knew all that could be and would be. He knew the vastness of the Universe, the beginning and end of Time, the length and breadth of Dimensions, and the width and depth of Space – for all of it was of Him.

Creation – born of God and known only by Him, this He considered. He allowed Free Will, gave Laws, Guidance, Love, and Conscience; Omniscience curtailed to permit freedom of choice to beings close to His heart. He would know all possible outcomes, yet would allow these beings to choose freely. Such choices He would keep from His Own knowledge, to observe objectively the intellect and integrity of Creation.

From His omniscience, He created the Universe, from His all-embracing wisdom, He created Heaven; and from His pure, all-enveloping love, He created Angels.

A spark of knowledge, wisdom, and love from Him created the first of the Host of Heaven. Uriel, ‘The Fire of God’, appeared in a fiery luminosity of blue-white energy.

Gabriel, ‘The Strength of God’, appeared next, lighting up the heavens in glorious, golden splendor.

The third, of necessity, was different. This one, God knew (as He knew all things), would be called upon to bear all that the other two would be spared. The spark of Life grew in brilliance, attaining awareness at the moment of his existence.

Know thee what thou art, and what I am?

“I am…Angel. You are my…Father.”

Thou art My Archangel, as are thy brothers, Uriel and Gabriel. Thou shalt be as they are, but different. Thee will be among the Seven Archangels of the Presence, and elevated above the Host of Heaven.

“I am like them, but unlike You, Father.”

Although thou art created of Me, thou hast not My appearance. However, thou may take upon thee My form.

“Is not the son come from the Father? Should he not then be like the Father?”

Thy bold assertiveness speaks well of thee, Archangel. Thou, and those like thou, are My Sons of Light. It would please Me greatly if thou should choose to take My form, for thou possesses also free will, and the ability to assume any form that pleases thee. Or, to remain as thou art: pure in essence, form, and Light.

“As I am of You, then I shall be like You whenever I am in Your Presence."

And so shall it be, Archangel. Thou hast chosen thy name. From henceforth, thy name shall be called “Michael, Who is like God?”

Spoke, and Raphael (‘Who God Heals’) blazed into existence, surrounded by emerald flames. Another Word, and Lucifer MorningStar – ‘The Light-Bringer’ – shone in a glorious white effulgence of purity, perfection, and beauty. Two additional Archangels joined the previous five, and Seven Archangels of the Presence knelt to their Creator, vowing allegiance and obedience to the One, True God.

In swift succession, nine Choirs filled the Heavens with Light and harmony. From the highest Order of Seraphim to the lowest Order of Angel, the Angels eagerly accepted their roles and status as the Host of Heaven.

And in return, God granted each angel substance by His Will, conscience by His Glory, and life by His Grace.

NEXT: CHAP 2 - ARCHANGEL'S DILEMMA 10/10/08

I

Two aeries, outposts at the perimeter of Heaven, trembled in the breeze. Ochre-green flames climbed relentlessly up the slender supporting columns, reducing the framework to glowing embers. Thick, black smoke roiled upward into the golden sky, stubbornly resisting the efforts of the near-constant breeze to disperse the murkiness.

Powerful wings cut into the air, as two Archangels soared over the aeries. Michael, flying ahead of Gabriel, slowed to assess the damage.

“Where are the sentries?” Gabriel’s question came clearly over the roaring blaze. His russet and gold wings beat with a gentle, muted rhythm as he caught up with his brother Archangel. His bronze, energy formed body flowed and ebbed as the particle fields maintained his physical manifestation.

“I ordered them to remain with Donyael’s First Legion at the Parade Field.” Michael banked sharply over the burning aeries. His nebulous energy field contracted to form God’s Image, and his enormous, emerald wings carried him over the smoke shrouded fields below them.

“I will see to the fields, Michael.” Gabriel cut under him, and cast out his AngelFire as he flew over the flames. Instantly, all traces of the conflagration vanished; energy surged over the meadow, producing lushly growing grass and flowers in its wake. The acrid odor of destruction vanished under the fragrant breezes gusting over the meadow; and the scorched earth and ashes disappeared under a verdant carpet of grass and foliage.

The remaining flames coursed up the slender columns of the outposts. The supports cracked sharply, and the aeries began to topple in a bonfire of sparks and cinders.

Michael’s AngelFire encircled and righted the aeries before they touched the ground. The energy extinguished the flames, and reformed both aeries into their original configuration. The columns, three per aerie, reflected the golden light of Heaven, the domed, needle point apexes lost in the wispy white clouds. The radiant domes glowed in translucent hues of azure and aqua, providing an unobstructed view of the boundaries beyond Heaven.

Michael alighted next to Gabriel on the re-formed meadow, and surveyed the area with approval. The vandalism had taken very little time to repair, but the fact that it had to be done grated on Michael’s nerves – and his pride.

“All is as it was. I am grateful for your help, Gabriel.” Michael’s tone and expression boded ill for the First Legion.

“Do not be too harsh with them, Michael.”

“Reprimands are rarely gentle.”

“They cannot be everywhere at once. This distant sector is of less importance than God’s House, and defense of God is the First Legion’s primary function.”

The Archangel Commander gazed steadily at Gabriel. “As I cannot be everywhere at once, either. It did not take our enemies long to discover that fact, and to use it to their advantage.”

“You did not think your title and rank would be in name only, did you?” Gabriel smiled, softening the impact of his words. “Our Father is a generous God. He enjoys – and craves – companionship. It is unfortunate that most of our Father’s creations have exerted their right of Free Will against our Creator, but it was their choice. Now, they want what is no longer theirs: all that Heaven offers. They want all the advantages without the obligation of earning it, of following God’s Laws.

“If nothing else, those who denounce God form the demonic opposition that gives purpose to your existence.” At Michael’s nod, Gabriel continued. “Your warriors serve you well. Do not let a minor incident weigh too heavily against them.”

They took to the air again, Michael veered to the left, toward the Celestial Courtyard where the First Legion and Captain Donyael awaited him. Gabriel continued his flight to the Central Axis, the exact center of Heaven where God’s House and Temple stood.

“When you are finished with your lecture, take a moment to visit the Spire of the Seraphim,” Gabriel’s amused voice drifted back as his glowing form receded in the distance. “I am interested to know if Uriel and the others are making any progress solving the puzzle I gave them.”

II

“Captain Donyael, report,” Michael commanded curtly, landing before the Legion Captain left in command during Michael’s absence.

Donyael bowed. “Commander, the fault is mine. I neglected to guard the lower regions. I had thought it to be safe from their assault.” His tall, well-armored form blazed in flashes of copper, his dark blue wings folded with prim precision against his back.

“No other warrior thought otherwise?” Michael’s massive frame turned sharply toward the armored ranks behind Donyael. The First Legion held the highest honor of the Twelve Legions, the position of defending God’s House; rarely did any member of this elite group err in the performance of their duties. Now, 100,000 strong, they stood with discomfort under their Commander’s intent gaze, feeling very small in the spacious Celestial Courtyard near the Parade Ground. “Did not any of you consider the possibility of attack from all directions?”

“Commander,” Donyael saluted, and continued, “the lower regions are well-guarded by the outposts. I did not want to split up the Legion without first apprising you of —”

“Two angel warriors are scarcely an adequate defense against a battalion of demon marauders,” Michael interrupted. “And that is why I left you in charge, Donyael: to make those decisions in my absence. Once I have given you the rank of Second-in-Command, it is not necessary to clear every thought and word with me before acting. You neglected the minor in favor of the major, and did not consider it necessary to place battalions at the remote sectors. As a result of that oversight, the demons slipped by you, my finest troops.”

“They were stopped, Commander. We destroyed all of them before any further damage was done.”

“The enemy should never have gained a foothold, much less granted free ingress through Heaven’s borders. Do you consider ‘stopping them before further damage was done’ to be a sufficient defense of Heaven?”

Neither Donyael, nor the other warriors, responded to Michael’s question. The Archangel’s gaze hardened as he looked over the columns of soldiers who stood solemnly at attention. “There is no one fault involved in this; all are at fault for failing to exercise individual thought and action when required. No Commander is infallible, and all must bear the results of the actions of the few.”

“As you say, Commander.” Donyael bowed again, and returned to the forefront of the First Legion.

Michael swept over the ranks of his troops, ascertaining that all had received, and understood, his message.

Donyael, Captain of the First Legion, performed his Captain’s duties well, but found the supremacy of the Army’s Commander, and the duties and responsibilities associated with such command, overwhelming. The most recent in a long succession of Lieutenant Commanders chosen by Michael to command in the Archangel’s absence, Donyael knew strategies and theories, but putting such knowledge into actual practice proved difficult for him. A perfectionist at heart, the Legion Captain took everything personally, unwilling to delegate any blame with the army.

The Archangel dismissed the chastened warriors, and continued his flight. He ascended to the uppermost regions of Heaven, and then began a long, gradual spiral downward. The crystalline towers and golden streets lay below him: peaceful, calm, and serene. Above him, the Dome of Heaven sparkled with the fire of millions of stars against a background of deep blue; stars that beckoned and enticed him to the vast emptiness of Space, devoid of speculation, judgment, and presumptions.

He resisted the incessant call, continuing instead toward the highest spire in Heaven. He felt a need to be among his peers, to share and enjoy all the wonders of the Universe without the over-shadowing threat of descending Evil.

The Spire of the Seraphim glowed a deep, radiant sapphire against the golden sky. The translucent dome shimmered in paler blues of topaz and zircon, the tower itself banded in pure silver. Michael alighted onto the main foyer, nodding briefly at two Herald Angels in quiet conversation at the entryway. They started at his presence, as their backs had been to him, and then immediately fell prostrate before him

“Great Michael, forgive us. We were unaware of your arrival,” said the older Herald, Magrel. His companion remained silent, wings lowered to the silver inlaid floor.

“I did not announce it. Please, stand up. Do not kneel to me.” Michael tried to keep his tone and bearing beneficent, but his exasperation crept through, and gave an unwanted edge to his voice. Only then did he realize that appearing in full armor and armament might intimidate the general populace of Angels.

The two Angels glanced at each other nervously, and then rose. They backed toward the entryway, Magrel explaining hastily. “Excuse us, Prince Michael,” two pairs of wings extended, catching the secondary current. “We...must be elsewhere...”

*** *** ***

Once clear of the Seraphim Spire, Magrel cringed inwardly at his ineffectual departing statement.

Krios looked over at him, his youthful features lined with concern. “Do you think he took offense at our departure?”

“If he had," Magrel answered in a deep undertone, “we would not have escaped so easily. We would be bearing the brunt of his disapproval at our lack of proper manners.”

Krios flew in silence for a moment, then ventured, “I did not realize he was so... big, and powerful. He wears power and authority as another would wear a cloak.”

“A cloak that is never removed. Power is his substance; and his appearance just now was not as imposing as usual for he was as we, in God's form. In his natural state, he has no equal, not even Lucifer. He is respected and feared by all, except God Himself.”

“I am very glad I am not one of his warriors. Or one of his enemies.”

Magrel smiled. “The exact sentiments of every non-warrior in existence.”

*** *** ***

Fortunately, for all concerned, the Archangel encountered no further Angels as he continued to the upper floors of the spire. At the topmost level, four Archangels of the Seraphim clustered around a raised dais, each conjecturing and commenting on an object that rotated on its center.

They glanced up and moved away as one from the dais as Michael approached them. A sudden, heavy silence descended over the group.

Archangel Uriel, as the Angel of Vengeance and Justice, aligned himself more closely to Michael than any other Host of Heaven. He alone stepped forward to greet the Commander of Heaven’s Army, taking on God’s form in deference to the Archangel. "Welcome, Michael. It is good to have you back.”

"For too long I have been away from my brothers of the Seraph.” Michael clasped Uriel’s forearm firmly, then turned his attention to the dais. “I note you still have not determined the aspects of Gabriel’s recent acquisition."

"Staying within the boundaries set by our fellow Archangel, we are no closer to identifying the object than we were when you left on your mission."

"Is the rotation of its own accord, or is it under your manipulation for closer scrutiny?"

Uriel shook his head. "It spins of its own volition: sometimes faster, sometimes slower, but always in motion. Thus far, we have determined that it consists of twelve major components, each revolving around the other. There are minor components revolving around the major ones."

Seraphiel, his manner reticent, offered quiet comment. “The constant motion hinders our ability to study it thoroughly. Gabriel stressed the importance of maintaining the rotation of the spheres, and you, Michael, have stated often that rules are to be followed.” A Judgment Throne angel, Seraphiel rarely spoke unless to pronounce sentence. He kept his gaze averted from Michael, to signify that his words were not a challenge to the Army’s Commander.

"Have you given any thought to halting the motion of the separate units in order to study them more closely?" Michael suggested, smiling faintly as he walked slowly around the raised platform. “The unit as a whole can continue its spin, while separate components are halted and broken down for inspection.”

He looked up at the silence his question had caused, to find the other Archangels staring at him in varying degrees of disquiet. Uriel found his voice first. "But, such an action would destroy the integrity of the entire system. God," he added, frowning, "would not be pleased."

“I was not serious,” the Commander of the Army hastened to explain. “Al of you--high-ranking, powerful Archangels--looked so solemn, so absorbed in the problem, that I could not resist a lighter approach to the one you were taking.”

“It is always difficult to know when you are serious and when you are not,” Jehoel’s cautious mien never wavered. “Your expression has a tendency to remain the same.”

“Do you then concede defeat to Gabriel’s test of your intellect?” Michael directed his question to Uriel.

“I admit we have exhausted most of our workable theories, and all of our untenable theories.” Uriel looked at him shrewdly. “You have determined its purpose?”

“Yes, and all will know soon. I will not deprive Gabriel the satisfaction of having stymied the Ruling Princes of the Seraphim. He has very few opportunities to mystify you.”

Michael caught a slight movement from the corner of his eye, and glanced past Uriel and Seraphiel just as Kemuel eased silently out of the chamber. Although accustomed to Kemuel’s calm and unassuming nature – as one of the Holy Sefiroth, he embodied the essence of serenity – it still disconcerted the Commander to see Kemuel so ill at ease that he preferred not to remain in Michael’s presence.

Michael’s questioning gaze rested on Uriel, who smiled slightly. “Archangel Kemuel has always found you intimidating at best, Michael; your smile can be more frightening than a glare.” Uriel turned toward the wide expanse of open archways. “As you are Heaven’s Warrior, most of the Angels can not get past the ‘war’ part; and as you hold the power of destruction over all of us, none dare to trespass against you.”

“You are exaggerating, Uriel. Am I not the Angel of Life, Benediction, and Defense? What is there to fear from me?”

Jehoel and Seraphiel glanced at each other, and retreated a few steps.

Uriel faced Michael once more, the flames burning deep blue in his eyes. “You are also the Angel of Death, Punishment, and Vengeance. The positive and negative aspects of your being are what you are. With such conflicting nature and temperament, is it any wonder that the Angelic Hierarchy treads carefully around you?”

NEXT: CHAP. 3 -- CREATION OF MIHDAEL 10/17/08

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