CHAPTER 88: [88]:XENOVIA

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"The High Council once voted to cast me out of Heaven," Uriel continued, still smiling, "They proclaimed that I took too much pleasure in death and that would eventually make me Fall. They were wrong. I take pleasure from pain. There is a difference," the smile grew, "Though I will admit it is a small one."

They flinched at those words. The angel’s gaze swept across them before halting on the ones dressed in the Church’s attire. Curiosity shone on his flawless face. The two in question took that as the opportunity to speak.

"Lord Uriel," Xenovia murmured. By her side Irina dipped her head and did not look up, "Forgive us. We did not know Lord Michael would send you to aid us."

"Ah, yes. Michael," Uriel’s handsome features lit up, "He is in charge now. That is not such a bad thing. He was always the most pragmatic amongst us. Still, you are mistaken. I am not the Uriel you are thinking of," the two frowned, "Your Uriel is high up in the Heavens, sitting on his gilded throne. He is happy there, I imagine, but a little more serious about things. But that is understandable. The catastrophe would have changed him, as it would have changed us all," they looked at each other in confusion. The angel smiled down at them, "And I am no Lord. He was promoted in times of great need. I was not. I am just Uriel," the seraph winked, "But if you choose to add handsome or dashing before my name, I will not complain."

The looks on their faces suggested just how heretical that line of thought was.

"Lord Uriel..." Xenovia tried again.

"Ah, I have already said that I am no Lord. Still, it is a rather nice sounding title. It has a certain ring to it, I suppose. Lord Uriel. Yes, I believe I can get used to it in time," the Archangel waggled his eyebrows, "Maybe I should keep the two of you alongside me and have you call me that all day. It would make me sound so much more important and stroke my most glorious ego."

"If that is what Heaven decrees..." the girl looked unsure.

"Such devotion!" Uriel beamed, "Such faith! Now I am very confident in Michael’s ability if he can keep fine people like you under Heaven’s sway. Still, if you wish to join me, I am afraid I must refuse. You will not like where I will be headed to when this is all over. The Sea of Souls is a very crowded place."

"Sea of... Souls?" Irina murmured.

"A vast ocean of potential," Uriel answered cheerfully, "The Nephilim draws us from within its crashing waves. In the beginning it used to be a sparsely populated place. Now beneath its depths swims more beings than you can imagine," the mischievous grin curled itself upwards, "Why just before I was summoned, I passed Belial coming the other way. He complimented me on my fine armor. I told him he had a very ugly face."

They blinked. He sighed again.

"He is joking."

They turned to look at him.

"Why, yes," the seraph beamed, "Lying for amusement. Joking, as you mortals call it. That is precisely what I am doing."

Xenovia looked at the others in consternation, as though not sure what to think. Irina’s gaze remained riveted on him.

"Nephilim?"

"You did not think we would call a being who can summon into existence both Archdemons and Archangels human, did you? That would be such a plain title for what is undoubtedly a very interesting power."

"So it is not..."

The angel smiled at the speaker’s confusion.

"A title for now. Nothing more."

That seemed to satisfy Irina, though she still cast lingering gazes in his direction. Her place was taken by Asia, who had lost her earlier stunned look. The former priestess wore an awed expression mixed in with earnest curiosity. It made her seem even more innocent, if that was at all possible.

"You really are an Archangel then?"

Uriel spread his arms wide in an inviting gesture.

"Do I not look the part?"

"You do," a slight frown creased over the girl’s brow, "But in the Bible, they say Archangels are very stern beings and you do not seem very stern."

"I see," a plated finger came up and stroked the elegant chin, "You are disappointed with my disposition."

Asia hesitated before nodding slowly.

Pearl white teeth glistened in a perfect smile.

"That can be rectified."

A plated fist tapped against the crimson chestplate. Its owner made an exaggerated harrumph before setting his features into a stony, severe glower.

I am the Fire the Burns the Damned. I am the Gaze that Upon all Sin shall be Judged.

I am Uriel, Archangel of Retribution.

And My Brilliance shall Light the Virtuous Way.

The pleasant expression returned and with such abruptness that it was as though it had never disappeared in the first place. Uriel beamed at them.

"How was that? Are you still disappointed?"

Asia shook her head demurely. Her eyes were wide, as were the eyes of the others.

"Ah, good. We angels call that Projecting. It is very good for saying threatening things and cowing frightened sinners, but not so good at making conversation. It makes us sound like we are shouting all the time," the Archangel winked at them, "Metatron is the best at this. His words are always the loudest and sternest. He is the Voice of God for that reason."

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