Heaven is For Real Part 4

After much travel via transport Mike was brought outside the Archangel Citadel, a towering structure located at the heart of Paradise. He glanced up at its impressive design. Much of the exterior was built of chrome plates while its interior — the halls, the stairs, and the council chamber room — were painted in gold, giving off a heavenly glow. Its height rivaled that of the Space Needle of the mortal world. The citadel was built on one of the many levitating platforms found all throughout the heavens. Smaller platforms gravitated around the citadel's base, often carrying statues of ancient angels and spherical scultures that resembled planets of a galaxy on them. Inside its base were their archives of the universe's secrets, never to be revealed by mortals, constantly protected by the citadel guards. In the upper levels were housing chambers for each of the members of the Council. All stayed and slept within the confides, except for Gabi, who roomed with her girlfriend in one of the many living complexes of Paradise.

Mike's escort led him inside the citadel and straight into the gravivators. Up they all ascended to the top of the spire, where the Archangel Council held private discussions and hearings for the people. Mike reflected on the day he became an archangel. He led the armies of Heaven against the invading demon forces and apprehended his corrupted brother Lu. He was dubbed the new Archangel of Justice and hailed a hero from that day on, but Mike never felt like a hero nor did he feel he was ready to take the role of an archangel. To be an archangel one must face the harshest trials of the flesh, mind, and soul. They must show superior techniques in combat and magic, possess strong leadership skills, and ultimately be ready to sacrifice themselves for the innocence.

Long gone were the days that the archangels were tactical generals during the Heaven-Hell War. Now, with his Father, the Creator, moved on, the archangels ruled together, upholding peace and prosperity in their realm. Yet that peace had flaws, something that Mike picked up on time and time again. Within the polished chrome citadels of Heaven, in each of the nine districts, crime and corruption runs through their shadows. Black market trades and a new highly addictive drug distributed under the Council's noses.

The party's ascension ended when their feet touched the final floor, the Council's Spire. Three of the council members — Metatron, Gabi, and Raph — led their comrade Mike to the center of the Council hall while the guards ascended back down the base of the citadel. The Council Spire was a large, circular room where each member was seated in nine levitating, oval-shaped chairs. The chairs would often gravitated slowly around the room like planets rotating around the sun. Each chair was made of a pearl-colored alloy with red cushions stuffed dead center. At least each member would sit comfortably while they discussed the trial.

Standing at the center of the wide chamber room were four other archangels that made up the rest of the Council. One of its members was the second female member of the Council, Ariel, the Archangel of Peace. She looked like a woman in her mid-50s and wore an enchanting, sleeveless robe made of golden and white silks that matched the high stature of the citadel members. Her left hand carried a long, metallic quarterstaff that she often used as a walking stick and for combat. Her raven hair was kept short to her shoulders with a couple grey strangs sprouting on the side, indicating her aging process; yet her beautiful face was clear of wrinkles. Her eyes were kept hidden behind a golden-brown cloth so none can peer at white frosted eyes underneath. All of Heaven knew her was aware of her blindness, though very few angels were ever born with this disability. But she saw life through different means. Despite being blind Mike still respected her, like all other angels, as one of Heaven's skilled warriors and masterful spellcasters. There were even rumors that she had befriended a demon during the war between Heaven and Hell but no proof claimed them to be true — nor did Ariel ever deny such rumors. If anyone could relate to Mike's predicament it would be her, but her judgement was always just. Whether she would side with him or against him was anybody's guess.

The angel across from her was Jophiel, the Archangel of Wisdom. Jophiel was the youngest member of the council, resembling that of a mid-to-late 20s man, having been accepted as an official member a millennium ago. His youthful face was cleanly shaved, glistening off his fairly pale skin. His snow white hair was kept short with a shorter ponytail knotted on the back of his head. He wore robes made of dark jade silks and kept his feet bare. He distained for footwear made him odd but his incredible speeds made him a well respected angel of Heaven. On his head he wore a thin crown of dry laurel leaves, which matched his dark brown eyes. Mike was good friends with him a while back. It was he who helped Jophiel earn the title of archangel and become an accepted member of the Council. The Archangel of Justice looked to his friend, noticing that he sighed with disbelief and sorrow. Now all Mike could do was hope that his friend would return that favor by siding with him on this trial.

The other standing between Jophiel and Ariel was Zadkiel, the Archangel of Freedom. He was an older angel too, resembling a man in his late-40s or early fifties. His midnight blue robes contrasted the lighter colors found throughout Heaven but paired with his golden skin. Much of his long hair, which was a dark as his robes, was covered by a hood and scarf. Yet a good half his face was marked by tattooes depicting ancient scripture, and a dark goatee wrapped around his upper and lower lips. His violet eyes darted at the arrested Archangel of Justice. Mike knew that he was already judging him. While he too was a respected angel Mike knew him for having a sterner attitude than his brother Raph. Zadkiel would always see the negatives rather than spot for the positives, especially when it came to judging someone. He wasn't going to be a pushover in this trial.

The final member present was Barachiel, the Archangel of Hope. The long, red-bronze robes he wore made his physique appear broader like a fat king. He was actually in good shape with impressive muscles hidden under the extra layers of clothing. He was a little shorter in stature compared to his councilmen with heavy dark skin tones, amber eyes, long curling hair that greyed, and a small balding spot on top his head. He was probably as old as Metatron, resembling a man in his 60s as well. Both of his hands contained a set of polished, silver rings on three of his fingers while both of his ears and brows were pierced with a series of small gold rings. Mike and Barachiel have always been on good terms. He even attended many weddings when Barachiel married off his children to their respectful partners, and met each of his twelve grandchildren. Of all the angels in the Council he was among the wisest. Mike could only hope his friend's wisdom will see him guiltless as he does.

Only eight of the nine members could be present with one absent member. This member was known by all as Azrael, the Archangel of Truth, but he is gone now. Mike did not know much of Azrael. He was the oldest of the council, at an age that would almost rival Legion. Some even speculated that he was one of the first to become an archangel. Mike recalled that this archangel liked to keep to himself most of the time, rarely making conversations with others. He also recalled how other angels secretly mocked the elderly archangel with a darker nickname he received through his time of war. During the long war, Azrael racked up the highest killcount of demons but his battalions suffered the highest casualty rates, thus his soldiers labeled him as the Archangel of Death out of spite.

He disappeared centuries ago. His reasoning for his departure left the Council worried. Mike remembered that day. He remembered how Azrael explained to them all that he felt a dark disturbance on the other side of the universe and he had to investigate it. He did not say what it was, only that he had to be sure. The Council opposed his request, but Azrael carried on alone, only to be never heard from again. Mike and the Council searched but there was nothing. Thus his seat remains, gathering up dust in the archangel's placement. There were many conversations discussed among the Council on whether or not someone should be worthy enough to replace their former comrade.

With all the members now present they took their respective seats. Metatron sat in the middle chair with Gabi and Raph sitting next to him. Normally Mike would be seated next to his mentor but it was to remain vacant as Azrael's chair. Zadkiel walked to the other side and took a seat in one of the other chairs hovering with Ariel sitting by him. Jophiel and Barachiel took their seats directly across from Zadkiel and Ariel on the other end of the room. The two remaining seats slowly moved themselves behind Michael and remained floating near the entrance. They were not needed for this hearing.

"This trial is to remain confidential until its conclusion." Metatron reminded his fellow councilmen. All eyes were now upon Mike. "Michael Sunday, Archangel of Justice, you have been brought before this council on charges of exposing your angelic state to mortals, unauthorized visits to the mortal realm, and making contact with the Devil and his demonic minions. How does the defendant plea?"

"Not guilty." Mike answered boldly.

Metatron nodded. "Let the record show that this trial has now commenced. Preceding as judges are Metatron, Archangel of Valor..."

"Gabriel, Archangel of Strength..." Gabi then stated and the others followed.

"Raphael, Archangel of Virtue..."

"Ariel, Archangel of Peace..."

"Zadkiel, Archangel of Freedom..."

"Jophiel, Archangel of Wisdom..."

"Barachiel, Archangel of Hope..." Their role call was finished. "I'll admit, it is troubling for all of us to see you under such conditions," Barachiel's deep voice bellowed.

"Yes, you are one of Heaven's best warriors and an admirable member of this council," Ariel spoke softly. "Many aspire to be like you."

"Yet you have gone behind our backs and broken our most sacred rules," Zadkiel added. His gravily, accented voice reminded Mike of how Malaika spoke. "Why?"

Metatron then spoke. "Michael has explained to me that he has been feeling some kind of void inside him, something that has clouded his feelings."

"Forgive me, but that is not entirely true," Mike interjected. "My feelings are clear as is my judgement. I know what I've done, and I know of my consequences. But I do not believe that I am guilty for these charges you've stapled onto me."

"Do elaborate for us then." Jophiel said. His right hand stroked the smoothness of his chin, pondering what the Archangel of Justice was up to.

"My simply using my free will as I please-"

"Which you already have here," Barachiel interrupted Mike. "where you are among your own kind."

Then Zadkiel spoke, "You've always had a love for the mortals, the humans-"

"But now you've gone too far!" Raph finally got a chance to speak up.

"Settle down, Raphael," Metatron reminded the younger sibling. He then refocused his attention to Mike. "The last time we've intervened in their affairs it led to the creation of numerous religious factions, followed by countless bloodshed in their undignified holy wars. That is why we've since severed all connections with us and the mortals. They see us as divinity when clearly we are not. We are born, we breathe, we live, and we die just as all life intended."

"You cannot blame an entire species for past mistakes." Michael defended.

"It is not just past mistakes," Jophiel said. "Their issues continue in the present as well."

"Not as much as you'd believe. There is a whole town that proves much has changed."

"You refer to Brimstone?" Zadkiel stated. "That cesspool of supernatural phenomenon, which has increased since your brother Lucifer had made him and his demons present."

"Although they haven't done anything that would cause an alarm," Barachiel commented. "Just harmless tomfoolery now and then but nothing threatening."

"Still we can't be certain," Ariel corrected them. "Who knows what the demons could really be plotting."

"I can already answer that," Mike spoke out again. "Absolutely nothing. I've been with them, yes, but they have no intentions in harming the humans."

"And you believe Lucifer?" Raphael growled.

"I do!" Mike fired back.

"So you decided to follow your youngest sibling's example?" Zadkiel accused. "Bending the rules without consequence?"

Mike sighed. "All I was trying to do was make amends with my brother. I only expect two of you to understand my feelings." Gabi sadly looked down in her spot as her other brother rolled his eyes.

"It still does not excuse you for revealing to mortals that you are an angel," the Archangel of Freedom continued. "You put us all at risk."

"There is no risk because they don't care. They're not living in superstition anymore. And I can prove it. This is trial isn't about me breaking a couple rules. This is a trial about how we should give humanity another chance. I know of some mortals that don't see me as a deity or divinity, but as a person."

The councilmen looked at each other, puzzled by their comrade's statement. Gabi smiled at her brother, feeling confident that Mike may yet win the others over. "You believe that their world has changed for the better?" the Archangel of Valor questioned, almost releasing a small chuckle. "Based around a small population of mortals you're familiar with in the last several months?"

"I do. Not only that but I can prove how my brother has changed too. Give me a chance to explain about each of them. "

"We will discuss about him momentarily." Zadkiel said. "I wish to hear more about what he has to say about these humans you mentioned."

"Let us discuss one of these mortals," the Archangel of Hope said. She pressed a button on a console inside her chair. A holographic keyboard appeared before her and she typed away. Her face was still focused on the Archangel of Justice as she typed perfectly. Suddenly a giant holographic picture of Mike's girlfriend Malaika appeared in front of the Council's view. Mike couldn't help but smile at her image. "Malaika Katan, a kindergarten teacher from an elementary school in Brimstone, Minnesota."

"I'll admit she is quite beautiful..." the young Archangel of Wisdom remarked, studying the teacher's image. "for a member of an evolved, primative species of course."

"Are we to understand that you, Michael, have shared some information to her." Metatron asked.

"Just some stuff about myself and nothing more." Mike honestly answered. "Basic small talk."

"It is to our understanding that you have committed a relationship with this mortal woman, correct?" Ariel said.

"I have."

"How far has that relationship endevered?" Ariel asked again. "Are you two involved romantically? Sexually?"

"I refuse to answer that."

"On what grounds?" this time Zadkiel asked him.

"On the grounds that's none of your damn business."

Metatron rolled his eyes and sighed. "Michael, let's be professional here."

"What do you want from me?" Mike was starting to get irritated. "Yeah I had sex with her and I used my penis! Did that sound professional enough for you? Are we seriously going to talk about my sex life right now?"

The Council was displeased by this statement, yet Gabi tried so hard to control herself from laughing. One of the archangels picked up on her amusement. "Gabriel, you have been quiet since the trial began," Ariel spoke to her. "Do you have any questions for your brother?"

At first the Archangel of Strength didn't know what to say. She didn't want to incriminate her older brother in any way. Mike nodded his head at her, giving her a sign that he was fine with her questioning him. Gabi then took a deep breath and asked her important question. "So who's normally on top during sex? Is she on top? Are you on top?"

The room was filled with a series of irritated groans and facepalms. Mike gave his sister an expression that stated really?. "See why I didn't want her on this trial?" Raph muttered to Metatron.

"Noted." he muttered back.

#sinsofthefather #fantasy #comedy #fiction #horror #angels #heaven