Chapter Text
IN THE BEGINNING…
An angel approaches the Throne of Grace and genuflects before the one standing beside the most royal of seats. He kneels, lowers his head, and begins to speak.
"My Lord Brother, I have come to bear witness. The human soul you wished to speak with has arrived. Shall I escort him in?" The angel keeps his head lowered in anticipation, the holy being waiting for his response.
Michael, the Archangel, responds to his humble younger brother with a calm, loving, yet stern tone. "Yes, please, I thank you, my brother... and Jael, I know this human has given you much trouble in the past. Forgive him; he has been through much."
"Of course, my Lord Brother. He has tested my patience on numerous occasions, but I act according to your will, and your will is His." Jael stands slowly in reverence and begins his long march toward the golden doors of the throne room.
Jael, a high-ranking angel in the heavenly host, does not understand why this human is being summoned. Certainly, the human had served our Lord in a most esteemed capacity, but he had earned his rest. Jael was the human's guide in Heaven, but he felt more like a glorified servant. The human was not easy to serve or please. However, Jael was not one to back away or turn from his duties, especially when the order to watch over him came from Michael himself.
As Jael approached the mighty gate that opened to the outside, he found himself becoming more nervous. He knew that James Corrigan was not going to be happy.
Jael stepped outside, greeted by a scene of unparalleled beauty. The throne room of the Lord stood proudly atop a grand mountainous peak, with the Silver City of Heaven sprawling around it. The city's streets were alive with the souls of the faithful, mingling among the heavenly host of angels. Yet Jael paid little heed to this splendor, for he had called Heaven home since the dawn of time. He had served as a commander in God's army, valiantly combating the evil that endlessly arose from Hell. Despite these grand responsibilities, he now found himself attending to a mortal named James Corrigan.
James was a man who had once hosted a fragment of God Himself. He had earned his rest—a cherished place in Heaven and the peace of believing he could enjoy eternity. Or so Corrigan had thought, until now.
"It is time, Blessed James. Lord Michael will speak with you now."
"Great... let's get this over with."
Jael quickly reentered the throne room, this time with Corrigan by his side. While Jael was unsure of exactly what Michael had planned, he had the wisdom to suspect the gravity of the situation. The world below had become a better place before Jim departed for eternity, but now, oppression has once again taken root on Earth—a recurring issue among mortals. A seed of hatred was beginning to grow, and if left unchecked, it might lead to acts of hate never before witnessed on Earth.
Heroes, villains, and anyone deemed to possess "gifts" or powers were being forced to register within the government of The United States of America. This has led to the unjust imprisonment of the innocent and bloodshed among both friends and foes. Worst of all, Michael had foreseen that this was only the beginning. Something had to be done; someone needed to act. This is why Jael suspected that whatever Michael had in store for James Corrigan, it was unlikely to please him.
“James Corrigan.” Michael, the High Commander of Heaven's armies, began to speak as the duo approached the throne of The Presence. “Thank you for coming. I have a grave matter to discuss with you…”
Before Corrigan could respond, he noticed his angelic companion kneel in reverence before Michael. Chuckling under his breath, Corrigan replied, “Not like I had a choice. I was pretty engrossed in a card game with the fellas, so if it’s all the same to you, Michael, I’d like this discussion over and done with quickly.”
“Very well,” Michael sighed, not because of Corrigan’s lack of respect or attitude, but because of the difficult news he was about to deliver. “An edict from the One Most High has declared that you, James Corrigan, will return to Earth.”
Michael paused, expecting to hear some unpleasantries from the mortal, but to his surprise, Corrigan responded simply, “Fine.”
The brevity of Corrigan’s reply hung in the air, a stark contrast to the weight of the revelation. Michael narrowed his gaze, searching for signs of resistance or discontent, but found none. Instead, Corrigan displayed a calm confidence, as if this return to Earth were merely an inconvenience rather than a monumental task.
“Did you hear me correctly, James Corrigan? You will be returning to Earth, even after all you have done in service of Heaven and our Lord.” Michael's voice conveyed a mixture of surprise and concern. He had known Corrigan for quite some time and had observed him even longer. The mortal’s reaction was not what he had anticipated.
“Listen, Michael,” Corrigan replied, crossing his arms with a casual demeanor. “Just because I’ve been spending my time up here in pure relaxation, enjoying the peace and quiet, doesn’t mean I haven’t been keeping an eye on Earth.” His expression shifted, serious and determined, yet his tone carried a hint of sarcasm—and perhaps a touch of arrogance—as if he had either expected this announcement or had secretly wished for it all along.
Jael, the angelic figure kneeling beside them, noted the shift in Corrigan's attitude with rising irritation. The light around him flickered slightly as his annoyance grew. Previously, Corrigan had pushed back against the idea of returning, seemingly indifferent to the gravity of the situation; now he bore an almost cheerful air. Was Corrigan truly content with this news, or was he just toying with them? Jael’s mind raced, trying to decipher the change. It was infuriating. “How can he be so unfazed by this?” he thought, a frown deepening on his face. “After everything he went through down there, does he really think it’s just a walk in the park?” Corrigan had given Jael nothing but grief when he first broke the news; now, it almost felt like a betrayal, watching him appear eager for a return he had once dreaded.
“James,” Jael interjected, frustration creeping into his voice, “this isn’t a light matter. You need to understand the consequences of your return. Things have changed on Earth, and not for the better.”
“I’m well aware of that, Jael,” Corrigan shot back, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But maybe that’s exactly why I should go back. I’ve been hearing the whispers of trouble stirring down there, and it’s about time someone stepped in to address it. Someone who knows the score.”
Michael observed this exchange closely, sensing the tension in the air. “What troubles you most, Jael?” he asked, redirecting the focus. “It is a significant transition, yes, humans do not often go from Heaven to Earth but James will not be returning without help…”
“What do you mean by that, Lord-Brother?” Jael asked, tilting his head in curiosity, his wings shimmering slightly as he absorbed the weight of Michael’s words.
“It will be your task to accompany him,” Michael replied, directing his gaze to both angels. “After all, Corrigan will be without Aztar—or should I say, Raguel? Since you were separated from him and ascended to paradise, Aztar has undertaken much in your absence, both good and bad. The Lord has seen fit to grant him a reprieve, a change in his cosmic duties. On this matter, I can say no more.”
There was a palpable silence following Michael’s proclamation, and Corrigan felt a mixture of emotions churning within him.
“Well, I gotta say, I wasn’t expecting to hear that. I never saw this coming for the green fella,” he responded with a smile, yet the hint of sadness in his voice betrayed him. It was clear he was reflecting on their bond, feeling the weight of loss that his friend’s transformation entailed. Aztar had been a steady presence in his tumultuous journey—funny, loyal, and always ready for mischief.
Jael noticed the shift in Corrigan’s expression. There was something deeply personal in his reaction, a longing that hinted at their shared experiences. “You cared for Aztar,” Jael stated, a note of understanding in his voice. “He was crucial to your journey. Losing that connection can weigh heavily on one’s heart.”
“You might just be correct,” Corrigan admitted, his voice softening. “After everything that happened, I thought we’d always have each other’s backs. Not being able to count on him… it feels like I’m being thrown into the deep end without a lifeline.”
Michael looked from Jael to Corrigan, recognizing the depth of their emotions. “Yet, you must understand that change is often necessary,” he said, his tone firm but gentle. “Raguel will have new responsibilities to fulfill, and you will also have to navigate your own path. The Lord works in ways beyond our understanding, and sometimes those paths diverge to lead to greater purposes.”
Before they could continue their conversation, another angel materialized before them in a flash of brilliant light. The newcomer stood tall and imposing, handsome and muscular, with rich brown hair settling into place after his rapid arrival.
“Gabriel?” Michael turned to face his brother, his expression shifting to one of anticipation. “Is it time?”
“It is, brother.” Gabriel nodded at Michael, both of them archangels of Heaven. Gabriel was known as The Messenger of The Lord, a title earned through countless deliveries of divine proclamations. “These two must depart; the ritual that will facilitate their arrival on Earth has begun.”
“A ritual on Earth, my Lord-Brother?” Jael inquired, rising to his feet while maintaining a respectful posture toward his elder brothers. His wings glowed slightly brighter in response to the presence of the archangels; even he rarely had the privilege of being in such esteemed company. “Can’t we just depart through the Gate of Pearls?”
“No, you cannot, not this time,” Michael responded. The golden-haired archangel waved his hand in the direction of Jael, causing a sword and a pack to appear on his person. “This is necessary for what lies ahead.”
Jael's curiosity deepened as he eyed the sword. He had seen many weapons throughout the eons, but this one radiated a power beyond any he had encountered. “What is this for?” he asked, reaching for the hilt.
Michael looked at him with an amused smirk, his eyes twinkling as he responded, "That is the Sword of Thy Spirit, a gift from your father. It’s more than just a weapon; it's imbued with divine power to aid you greatly in your forthcoming mission, my brother."
Before Jael could express his gratitude, Gabriel stepped forward, his wings subtly rustling as he interjected, "It is time. They must go now, for they are needed urgently."
"Indeed," Michael nodded decisively, his expression shifting to one of solemnity. "James Corrigan and Jael," he continued, his gaze moving back and forth between them, ensuring they understood the gravity of their task. "Earth needs you know, may God watch over and protect you."
Before either of them could respond, Michael snapped his fingers, plunging Jim Corrigan into a void of blackness.
“This shouldn’t be happening,” Corrigan thought, a sense of confusion washing over him. “I should be back on Earth.”
“Yes… yes, you should,” a soothing feminine voice floated through the darkness, wrapping around him like an eerie embrace. “You will be mine.” Just as Jim tried to comprehend the disembodied words, he was jolted awake.
He found himself alongside Jael in a vast chamber, one that felt ancient and deeply unsettling. He barely had time to absorb his surroundings before he noticed the ominous figures looming around them—two dozen shadowy figures clad in blood-red robes.
Surrounding Corrigan and Jael were three women, though one lay lifeless at their feet. The remaining two looked terrified, their eyes wide with fear. Whatever was unfolding in this sinister place, Corrigan and Jael were determined to uncover the truth. Yet, uncertainty hung heavy in the air, and the situation felt perilously precarious.
TO BE CONTINUED