Gabriel found himself walking through the forests on his way towards the burnt remains of the temple, where he was hoping to locate the clergyman, Simon. He no longer donned the look of an angel, now in a simple black robe and cloak with a hood pulled over his face. While such a look would surely bring eyes to him, especially in the warm summer month, it was better than looking as if he came straight out of religious scripture, with a halo and a pair of giant white wings, and rather a dimwitted priest who couldn’t choose his clothes correctly to match with the season.
The clothing itself was simple; Robes and a cloak made of fine silk, comfortable to the touch, with silver stitching where it was needed. A hood was there in case he needed to go a little more incognito, as he was currently doing. An amulet of pure gold hung from his neck, the device being a hollow circle, one that could be identified as a golden halo if one thought for longer than a second.
His size and face also changed; while he was once a towering seven feet tall, he was now a head shorter, around six feet tall. He no longer sported long golden yellow hairs and eyes, either. He now had a well-groomed and slick back head of brown hair, one expected from a man of faith, and a matching pair of piercing brown eyes. He still kept his alluring face, though remarkably different than his angelic form.
This appearance would allow him a more free range of the Empire and likeminded nations, though he imagined places like the Tripartite Confederation would be less than hospitable; not that he cared, as Gabriel was more than willing to let them think a simple wandering priest is capable of wiping the floor with armies. \
As for names, Gabriel decided that the name of Moses would fit perfectly for his character. ‘I mean, he was like a wandering priest-like figure, right? Didn’t he record the Ten Commandments? Man, I wish I had read the Bible. I could make up so much cool lore for these characters,’ Gabriel, now going by Moses, thought to himself reminiscently.
Our protagonist of many names finally found himself on the edge of the clearing of the forest, looking out over the charred remains of the Temple grounds of the night before. ‘Well, time to turn in a quest,’ with that, the disguised Gabriel set off to find the survivors.
- Simon POV -
“Are you sure, my child? Maybe you should wait a few more days, and think it through. The world is a dangerous place; you should know this! We share a border with the fiends that attacked us! You saw what they did to your sister… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought that up. But, I mean… please. Just give it another day before setting off on… whatever it is you’re doing.” pleaded Father Simon to the pouting Havana.
Simon no longer wore the robes of the clergy; he has since changed into a look befitting a villager; a tan linen tunic and brown pants. A set of well-worn boots adorned his feet, but he still wore the amulet of the trinity, a depiction of three eyes interconnected, from his neck. His face was a far cry from well-kept; a stubble appeared on his aging face, and his once well-disciplined slicked back hair was a messy mix of gray and fading black.
Havana, for her part, still wore the white cloak of a priestess, though she no longer wore her amulet that proclaimed her faith. Her blonde hair, while not as well cared for as it had been traditionally, still found itself well brushed. While it had been a rough night and the following afternoon, her blemished skin still showed beautiful, pale skin underneath the grime of the past 16 hours. Simon found her to look as beautiful as her mother, a woman he had known while they were in the capital. He found it imperative to take care of the last remaining aspect of that woman, and now she was trying to throw it all away.
“I understand your worry, Simon, but… my place is no longer here. I prayed to the Trinity, but in my time of need, they did not appear. I was left in my most desperate hour at the hands of the soldiers. Where were the Gods for me? My Sister? The countless others that were on the Temple Grounds last night?” Argued Havana; it stung Simon that she no longer referred to him as ‘Father’, as he knew she was well past having doubts about her faith. Still, he had to look out for her, if not as a religious leader, then as a promise to her mother.
“I, oh alright. I know I cannot keep you here. Not that I wouldn’t, but because I know you would leave anyway. At least wait for someone to accompany you. It is a dangerous road you will travel, in the literal, metaphorical, and spiritual senses. Maybe that Archangel will return? That being of the Heavens sure seemed to take an interest in you. He called himself a guide; let him guide you into becoming your fullest self. If the messenger of the Trinity claims you have potential, then you must have it.” Father Simon had no doubts that this “Gabriel” was an Agent of the Trinity. It simply would not make sense for an Angel to not only protect a religious opposition. But to then admit the potential of one of their own? It was simply idiotic to assume any different, from his perspective. However, Simon’s interest was peaked when the Angel seemed to be confused about the Pantheon he spent his life in service to, he found that to be yet another thing he would question his savior about in their next encounter; assuming they will ever have one.
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Just when he thought his silent wish was answered, as the noise made itself apparent to have found their shelter, an unfamiliar figure graced them with his presence. A man of taller stature than the norm, but not tall enough to call it abnormal, he was dressed in an elegant set of robes and a matching cloak of black, priestly robes with silver stitching where it was needed. His face was instantly intoxicating; well-chiseled, he had a set of piercing Brown Eyes and a matching head of hair, slicked back in a style that made Simon feel reminiscent of his upbringing in the clergy. An unfamiliar amulet hung from his neck, a single, hollow circle. However, the longer he looked at it, the more it dawned on him that it was likely a Halo. Like from an Angel…
“I’m sorry if I’m being forward, but would you happen to be a, ah, friend of an Angel? Your Amulet… it seems too great of a coincidence to think otherwise,” challenged Simon, giving an inquisitive look over the newcomer.
For their credit, they only lightly smiled before replying, “Yes, I am a disciple of the Greater Authority. My name is Moses, and I act as the “human element” of the Greater Authority. I am familiar with the Archangel Gabriel that you speak of. I was sent to confirm the removal of the threat that plagued you last night. Sadly, the Archangel Gabriel was recalled for more pressing matters. Please accept me as his steward in this matter”.
Simon took this information in strides; he found that this made sense, as an Angel was surely a busy being; especially one of such power and authority. Though he did find it strange that he called himself a disciple of this “Greater Authority”, so he pressed the matter.
“I’m sorry, but I am unfamiliar with this ‘Greater Authority’ that you speak of. Is the Archangel Gabriel a servant of this following?” Inquired Simon.
“In a sense, yes. The Greater Authority came into place after the deaths of several pantheons of this world. After the War in the Spiritual Realm, many branches died off without a deity to maintain them, so the lesser celestials, in this case Angels, took up the mantel of protecting the realms across the Great Branch of Yyrd. The Archangel Gabriel serves by watching over this branch, looking for beings of both competence and ability to rebuild the world to its former glory on the material plane, so that he may eventually start helping in the Spiritual Plane. The Greater Authority found that it would be neglectful to allow this material plane to fall into chaos, so the Archangel Gabriel took it upon himself to protect and upkeep it. It is now time for him to take a more active threat, as he believes a new threat will emerge.” The Disciple Moses said calmly, to the aging Father who was seemingly graying by the second.
“Wha- what? War of Pantheons? Dead Gods? Emerging threats? I have never heard of such… things! Surely you… you are mistaken?” This conversation did not go the way he planned, and it seemed that it also wrapped Havana into the fold.
“Like Simon said, what do you mean about… all of that? And how could Gods even die? They’re immortal. All powerful. Surely a concept such as death could not impact Gods, let alone Angels such as the Archangel Gabriel.
Moses grimaced, his handsome features twisting as if he were reliving the experience single-handedly. “Not exactly. Gods and Goddesses are usually incapable of being harmed by mortal hands. However, cursed items, or the powers of other deities are more than capable of dealing both crippling and mortal blows to these ancient celestials. As for Angels, they are even more exposed, as Mortals are more than capable of killing one should they get lucky. Though, honestly, I have yet to find a threat that the Archangel Gabriel would struggle to contend with.”
Putting two and two together, Simon decided to confront Moses with a question. “When you refer to dead Gods, you mean… The Trinity, don’t you?” He ended the last part with a voice a little louder than a whisper as if his strength had lost itself when he verbalized what he was thinking.
He took Moses’ lack of answer as one, his eyes becoming downcasted as he dropped to his knees. With a sudden cry of concern from Havana, he found her next to him with a worried expression.
“It… it is hard to come to terms with finding out your entire life was pointless in the grand scheme of things. I will need time to think of this. Thank you for coming here today to deliver the good news. I will make sure to relay this to the rest of the group. You have done me a great service, Disciple and Steward of the Greater Authority. I have but one request from you… would you please take Havana Lym with you?”
Havana suddenly looked at him, still in her crouching position next to him, before suddenly yelling, “WHAAAAATTTT?!!”