Prologue: Empire of Angels
"This isn't what we wanted, Gabrielle. Please, just listen for a second," Orion pleaded, his voice weary from the relentless shouting and arguing he had engaged in just to get the other angel to pay attention.
"Listen to you? I've listened. I've obeyed every command he's thrown at me, like the obedient messenger I am. And what do I get in return? Tell me!" Gabrielle snapped at Orion, his anger flaring up, his expression hardened, and the fire in his eyes burning brightly. Orion flinched slightly at the tone used but maintained his composure.
Even though angels were naturally calm and patient beings, as they were created to be, it wasn't uncommon for angels to experience anger. Some of them had lived long enough to conceal their anger, displeasure, or any negative emotions from one another.
"Why can't you just listen for a moment, Gabrielle? Let me explain, even if it's not everything I can tell you," Orion implored, taking a step closer with a calming demeanor.
"There's no explaining to do, Orion. You're just wasting your breath with riddles that you know I can't handle," Gabrielle spat out with fury. The longer he stood there, the more he felt like strangling Orion and using every curse word in the human dictionary until he felt satisfied. No matter how much anger simmered at the bottom of his stomach, he would not disrespect the sanctity of God's heaven.
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"Let me get straight to the point. As much as you dislike being there, you need to return, for our sake... for His sake. We need balance and peace between all three realms. We cannot afford... Heaven is falling apart, Gabrielle," Orion said the last part softly, catching Gabrielle off guard.
"What?" Gabrielle asked, seeking clarification and unable to believe what he was hearing.
Heaven falling apart? It sounded like a cruel joke.
Just as Orion was about to elaborate, Meran, one of their brothers, burst into the house, his face pale and his breathing shallow as if he had run a marathon – which he had, just to reach Orion.
"The... c-clouds," Meran choked out, his words strained and breathless.
Orion knew exactly what this meant.
He swiftly exited the house without explaining anything to Gabrielle, who stood there bewildered by the unfolding events.
"Meran, what in Heaven is happening?" Gabrielle demanded.
"The clouds are slowly starting to fade, and the Empire is split in half," Meran explained once he had caught his breath, his wide eyes still filled with shock at what he had witnessed.
"Let's go," Gabrielle commanded.
To say he was shocked would be an understatement. He stood there, utterly bewildered by the scene before him. The once serene clouds had become stormy and dark, creating a tense atmosphere in Heaven. What shocked him the most was the ominous split in the clouds that ran through the gates of the Empire.
"Gabrielle, Father needs you," came a voice, interrupting the chaos around them.