The Valiard

Gabriel opened his eyes to find himself back in his fathers throne room. He looked around confused, that couldn be possible. As his eyes came back into focus he realised he was right. What at first seemed like the throne room was just a mere copy. A copy which had been changed significantly, instead of one throne there was 4 and the walk up to it was lined with a red carpet. Come to think of it, Gabriel thought, this wasn anything like his fathers throne room at all. As the fallen angel directed his eyes towards the thrones, to examine them more closely he realised that in front of them stood a man donning white robes. Myers.

Gabriel began walking and at once he realised he was hurt, his hand flew to his head and recoiled slightly in pain. At that moment, Myers turned to face Gabriel, his face stern, yet almost…compassionate. You must be careful, you don have angelic healing anymore, the healing process is almost human at this point, Myers stated walking towards the angel and lifting him up in support. He was right of course, Gabriels tie to Heaven was practically faded, however he still felt a weak connection to something up there, which was extremely unusual. Being fallen he should be completely cut off, then again, the science of being converted had never been investigated. For all the angel knew this is how it felt.

Myers clicked his fingers and the mirage around them faded and reappeared as Gabriels apartment. Gabriel was placed on his couch and Myers stood above him. Gabriel decided this was as good as time as any for answers. This is a dream state, which means you are more then an angel what are you? He said sitting up more, his head pounding. Myers frowned, he was completely unreadable past his face, Does it really matter? Im nothing anymore, my power is as diminished as yours, these are…shadows of my former power, Myers said turning and putting his face in his hands. I was the miracle that saved you years ago, I was dying and in my last moments I felt another vessel which could support two entities, He continued, he was staring at Gabriel now who just stared back, his face unchanging. He had assumed that Myers was just a figment of his imagination or some sort of demonic shade…but this?

So you
e what? A Knight of Hell, Envoker? Gabriel questioned standing up, his hand gripping his head still, You are still powerful, powerful enough to heal me of angelic weapon cuts, only an Knight, Archangel or God could do that so what are you? Gabriel said moving his hand to his side and looking Myers in his fiery eyes. Myers swallowed, Im no angel, Ill tell you that, and God? I am nothing like him either Myers answered, and the angel noted the spite in his voice as he mentioned God, almost to the point of hate. At that moment, Gabriel heard someone speaking, it was distant but getting closer every second. Lets see if he is awake now, why don we sunshine, was the last thing Gabriel heard before his apartment and Myers faded to black and he opened his eyes.

He was laying on a table in what seemed like a room in a barn. He remembered his fight with the princes and realized where he was. Just then an old man walked in accompanied by a young girl, he recognized them as the pair he saved. Ah speak of the angel, the names Samuel and you? The old man said calmly walking up to Gabriel, who was a little taken aback. Most people are scared or confused after an encounter with the divine, even those who pray to it. You aren the first to visit it is if thats what your wondering, the most common entrance and exit to Heaven is right above us. Samuel continued, indicating upwards as he did he handed Gabriel some golden syrup, the smell instantly identifiable to the angel. My name is Gabriel and this is golden nectar from the Garden, howd you get it? The angel questioned, sipping it slightly. He instantly felt better, the pain is his head subsided and he could think straight again.

Samuel walked towards the door and gestured Gabriel to follow, as he left the room Gabriel found himself in the main room with the skylight from which he entered. His mind flicked to fighting those princes, the pain he felt, the anger. He was brought back to reality however, when he realised the skylight had been repaired, that had happened mere hours ago, there is no way it could be fixed already. Samuel noticed the angel staring and spoke up, Youve been out longer then you think, Im sorry he said sadly, the angel doubled back. How long was he gone? His father was planning what sounded like the conversion of angels for the Solstice which was a month away when he passed out. If he had been out for long enough, it might have happened. You were out three weeks, we couldn wake you after those demons left, Samuel continued, his eyes sad as he gazed at the angel. Why were they after you anyway? Those were Princes, they don go after anyone, Gabriel remarked as he sat down on a stool at the edge of the barn. He glanced at Samuel. The old man was rugged, he had dark stubble surrounding his face and short unkempt hair. He was wearing clothes typical of a farmer, as was the little girl who at that moment ran over to Gabriel. She sat next to him shyly and smiled, not saying a word.

I am a prophet of the lord, some day my prophecies will make up the Morgan Chronicles, Samuel answered, a smile on his face. However, beneath the smile he harboured deep fear for Gabriel as he felt the essence of another entity in him. One that made him feel guilty, for every small sin he ever committed. You are Samuel Morgan? I have heard great things about your prophecies, they say you might be the most accurate natural on Earth you know, Gabriel said excitedly, thrusting his hand into Samuels to shake it, the old man thanked the angel and returned the handshake. Which is why I ask, do you know anything about the City of Gold or the Valiard? The fallen angel continued, his eyes hopeful, he had to know the full story, with so little time before the fall he would need every bit of information to stop his father. The prophet looked down in thought, these were things he had heard of but never seen, fairy tales talked about by angels. The City of Gold I know little about but the Valiard, I have heard of. Its a fairy tale of sorts. An entity said to be more powerful then anything before it, one that would walk in the ruins of Earth, and be alone for all eternity Samuel answered finally, looking upon the angel quizzically. These were strange requests.

Gabriel sighed, he knew more like he wanted but it still didn explain what this Valiard was and why or how it was returning. He looked up at the prophet and thanked him for everything, he then asked if the man could help him get to New York in any way. The angel needed to go there, it was where Jane was and she must be worried sick, plus since it was the place he spent most time in some residue of angelic essence might have stayed. This would allow Gabriel to have a trick up his sleeve in case of anything. I have an old motorbike that i don use anymore, but New York is a day away son. Are you sure you wanna go that far? Samuel said, pointing over to a covered area of the barn before turning back to the angel. I have to, though could i possibly use your phone to call someone please? I know i ask a lot of you bu- He was cut of by Samuel telling him that it was fine as he saved their lives, this was a small price to pay. Gabriel nodded and graciously accepted the mobile device from the prophet, who then started walking towards the covered area, the girl following close behind. Gabriel quickly dialed 999 and a calm voice responded, This is Kansas Police Department, what is your emergency? Gabriel had rehearsed this line many times at Janes orders in case he was ever in a different state in need of help. My name is Gabriel Myers, im a consultant with the NYPD could you patch me through to Captain Jane Cooper of the Central Park precinct please? He said clearly, the phone to his ear. What followed was a short beep.

Gabe is that you? The concerned voice of Captain Cooper exclaimed as the beep ended, she sounded worried and Gabriel frowned. He had been gone a long time for her. Yes, hello. Im back on Earth, The angel replied, a smile on his face as he heard a sigh of relief from his friend. Where are you? Your house? She queried, and the angel realized he wasn too sure where he actually was. He then remembered what Samuel had said, the most common exit and entrance to Heaven, he knew where he was and the irony was not lost on him. Protection, Kansas actually, long story, He simply stated, on the other side of the phone Jane sat in her office. She had been worried sick the past few weeks since Gabriels sudden trip back home. The days had rolled past and he never got in touch, she began thinking shed never see him again. She looked back at that day he left.

Watching him fly off into the sky, she smiled. Her parents had walked out and were wondering where Gabriel had gotten of to and she had just said he was called away by his father for a family thing. She couldn well tell them that her partner was an angel now could she. She was brought back to the real world as she heard Gabriel say where he was. Kansas? Gabe what the hell? She said angrily, raising her voice a little too loud as the other cops in the precinct looked towards her office. She quickly apologies and closed her blinds. Why motorbike? Can you just you know fly? She said jokingly, what she heard wasn what she expected. Gabriel had stood up from the stool and began walking towards the now uncovered motorbike, I lost my powers Jane, my father he…took them, He responded with sadness in his voice, he was ashamed and angry. Now that his father abandoned him Gabriel had finally let himself fully feel emotion. And it burned. Burned like a fire within him. Im so sorry Gabe, ill see you tomorrow then? Call when you can. I lov-Look forward to seeing you, She corrected as she finished that sentence, her mind filled with horror and what she just said. Gabriel was amused, did she nearly say I love you? Surely not he thought. I lov-Look forward to seeing you too Jane, bye He said, ending the call with a simple joke.

He got to the motorbike and handed Samuel the phone thanking him. He looked over the bike, it was an old Kawasaki, but the paint job was clearly quite recent. It handles like a charm and Ive put some extra fuel in the compartment under the seat. Should last you till New York, The prophet said calmly, handing the angel some keys and around $50 in cash. Gabriel smiled and thanked him for his kindness again, as he got on the bike the little girl spoke up. You should have this, my granddad says you are an angel down on his luck and this always brought be luck, She said handing him a necklace from out her pocket. It was a small pendant with an Aquarian star engraved, a common way to hide somebody from supernatural beings, like angels or demons. The angel smile putting it on, Thank you very much, He said before nodding in goodbye to both of them and riding out of the barn, his sense of direction very much still working he rode on to the I-70 and began his long journey to New York. He noticed the air was different, birds weren chirping and the farming fields around him weren in full force as they should be. He was right, something big was coming. Something apocalyptic.