Angel Side Stories: Metatron

Angel Side Stories: Metatron

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Commissioned by Chaosbrain

Wordcount: 1500

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Lucifer lived, and the Legions of Heaven coursed with hate previously unknown to them.

As did I.

Whereupon in His design, did He decide that hate was required of the Host? The question shall persist for aeons, in the minds of the new scholars and philosophers of Heaven, but for now a solution is required of that hate.

The emotion is an inferno within the breast, an incessant urge to move forward, betray reason, and immerse oneself with glorification of violence. Therefore, it is an emotion that is anathema to one of the Host, yet it is nonetheless present.

I have decided to restrain it, to curtail it, and to see it espoused as a Sin.

Now, for the first time, I find myself sitting at the head of a table with fewer allies in my argument than enemies.

“We should not suffer Lucifer’s existence. Every moment he persists is a moment that invites pain and suffering.” Gabriel was the most outspoken of my comrades. In her campaign to have the Host march upon Earth, to forcibly search it for the Betrayer, she and her followers wore their armor. Their armor from days past, refurbished for the new age, was now a common sight upon Heaven’s halls. “Metatron, I understand your reasoning. Our show of force shall frighten many of those we pledged to protect, however I and those who I speak for cannot condone Lucifer being pursued by nothing less than a Legion!”

Her proposal has been moderated over the course of many discussions. A single Legion scouring the Earth for Lucifer, instead of all the Legions, was a grand display of patience and understanding.

However, I bid her to sit, before turning to Uriel.

He stood, smiling and bright, though it was his role to be Heaven’s Shadow.

“We do not have the means to follow where he goes. Lucifer has many places to hide, which only he can access. However, Gabriel’s plan holds merit. A show of force, to ensure he stays where he is hidden, will forestall him from acting without fear of destruction.” Uriel firmly supported Gabriel. He remained standing after doing as I bid, not sparing a glance towards the one he supported, but he supported her more than I.

I bid him to sit, my eyes peering over the five others in league with them, before turning to my only ally.

Melchizedek stood, paused, and then turned to me.

“Their arguments have merit. The compromise is acceptable for me and my own. It is a measure of force, but one that is more likely to inspire faith than fear, even amongst those of humanity who do not believe in Him.”  Melchizedek nodded to me, then to the rest of the gathered table. His discontent at the plan pushed by the others was mollified by the compromise. So, a simple truth remained, of which only he could ask without fear. “Metatron is this to your satisfaction, as it is mine?”

There was no need to ponder.

Raising my hand, I spoke for the first time since I sat at the end of the table.

“Go forth. Seek Lucifer. For now, a single Legion to test the skies and wills of Earth.”

Though I was defeated in my goal to curb hatred, I felt pride at my defeat.

It was strange.

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Gabriel approached me, after the rest of the gathered left. The Legion that would gather would be composed of the best of the others. Those of the highest merit will be sent, therefore Gabriel will lead them into battle.

That is the core of the concern Gabriel now feels.

“Should it not be you who leads them, Metatron? Only you and Michael fought against Lucifer and dealt him grievous blows.” Resplendent in armor, holding her helm in her hand, and with a sword upon her waist, Gabriel was set to wage war. However, her face was not a rictus of determination and will. Concern for me filled her gaze. “Do you feel unwell? Is there something troubling you?”

Earnest words guided by a clear heart.

She accepted her hatred, mastered it, and allowed it to fuel her justice.

So, I must admit my own weakness.

“I am unfit to face him. The hate I feel for Lucifer is unbefitting of Heaven. Fighting against him will lead me to fall. I know this for a fact.” Shame. It was an odd feeling. Even freed from its grip, managing to say what it forced me to withhold, merely emboldened it. I could not meet Gabriel’s gaze and I felt my eyes turn downward. Only by sheer will did I continue to gaze upon the breadth of Heaven, instead upon my feet. “I must overcome my hatred for Lucifer by becoming its master. And, I must apologize to you, Gabriel.”

“Apologize?” Gabriel’s eyes were wide at my words, but widened further at my last phrase. She blinked rapidly, when I forced myself to meet her gaze and face her. A gasp left her when I bowed my head in remorse. “There’s no need—

“There is a need, for I believed that you and all others felt the same hate that I did. Not merely the righteous anger against a man who harmed you, but the need for vengeance filled with spite that I did, which I did my utmost to restrain.” I feared that hundreds would fall at the sight of Lucifer, betraying themselves to the greater breadth and expanse of emotions that He gifted to all of us before his passing. I doubted Him and the Host. I, the regent of Heaven, doubted Heaven. “I will better myself. I will overcome my rage and hate. Then, I will join you in battle against Lucifer, Gabriel.”

For the first time in my existence, I bowed to another besides Him, but once I did my shame fell from my shoulders.

“I bid you good hunting. Stay safe and strong. Heaven is behind you, even if I am yet not.”

…

Rarely was I ever alone. Heaven required many hands to function. The work was never light, but that was because our purpose was heavy. So, when I found myself with an hour to spare from my many works, I knew there was treachery afoot.

Or, rather, the treacherous feet of one in particular stepping upon where he should no longer be.

“Now, now, we both know that I’m not here to stay, though I must admit it’s far better than I remember it. Kudos to you for that, big guy.” Azazel wore armor of sturdy make, which resisted His preparations to ensure no Fallen could assault Heaven. It was being worn down in its efforts to protect him from His works, and was obviously of costly make, but Azazel wore it as regular cloth upon his being. For that alone, I forestalled my hand and did him no harm. “Right, right the time limit before I’m sent screaming back to my loving harem. Let’s cut to the chase, okay? Me and mine want in on killing our upperclassman.”

“You may do so.”

“I know it sounds strange, but—huh. What? HUH!?”

I knew from the moment I looked upon Azazel that I had no quarrel with him beyond formality and principal. The hatred I felt for Lucifer made even those become meaningless in turn. If I were to be completely, utterly earnest, knowing that the Fallen would be assisting the Legion we sent forward filled me with satisfaction. The places where Angels cannot tread will surely be traversed by the Grigori.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait… what the fuck are you and what have you done with Metatron? Mr. Strict? Mr. Perfect General? Mr. Guy-With-Glasses-Before-They-Were-Cool!?” Azazel’s antics bored me, so I leveled a glare at his direction, while considering the security breach that took place in Heaven. I took a moment to ponder, before rechecking my activities. Ah. No. Azazel had hidden my next duty from my sight. He truly enjoyed making his foes overthink and trip upon their own feet. “Seriously, you can’t just expect me to believe that you’re now perfectly imperfect—

My shock and surprise rendered Azazel completely silent, before laughter came forth from my lips, managing to hide away the rage I felt deep in my bones for a moment.

“Azazel, you are truly His most spoiled son.” Looking upon Azazel’s face, as it was crossed with horror, apprehension, and confusion, I saw His face as He breathed His last. Yes, Azazel looks the most alike to Him, albeit with a ridiculous hairstyle. And, considering my Fallen brother’s impulsiveness, cleverness, and penchant for creating… it left a somewhat bittersweet taste in my mouth, as He said aloud in passing one of the last orders, I was given by Him, before His passing into a new, better life. “Thank you for those words. That is all I need allow the Grigori to support heaven. You may leave now.”

Azazel’s features remained stunned by a massive range of emotions, but while the passive defenses crashed and broke against his protections, the active defenses that I could call upon with a thought were another matter entirely. Effortlessly, I sent him, without a word to explain, back to Earth. Even though he somehow gained Heaven’s assistance by merely asking.

I told the whole, entire truth.

Knowing that the Fallen, one and all, were merely His shadow, and that they weren’t mistakes, lifted my spirits to the point where I no longer felt rage for Lucifer.

That alone was enough for me to allow our wayward brothers and sisters to fight with us for the first time.