Chapter 1 The beginning
Azrael was once a normal angel; he wasn’t the oldest nor was he the youngest. He was there to witness the creation of Earth and he would be there to watch as humanity fell apart at the seams. The beginning takes place in the heavens, God’s grand domain. The Garden of Eden had long since been established, and now god’s angels speculated what other creatures should inhabit the green and blue planet. Special dispatches of angels were tasked with aiding in the planet’s development whilst the others were trained in combative skills should another conflict between the fallen and God’s angels arise once again. Azrael surveyed the other angels at work, a white sleeveless robe hugged around his figure.
“What’s today’s schedule?” He murmured out quietly to one of his peers. He always gravitated towards the more soft-spoken angels never meshing well with the louder spirited cherubim. “Same as always, making plants and rocks as if there wasn’t enough already.” His peer slumped down against a nearby cumulus cloud exhaustedly. “Any other plans?” Azrael pressed the subject further. “Just have to guard that silly ol’ garden God made.” The other angel poked at a cloud disinterestedly. “There’s hardly any people in it so, what’s the point?” He added dismissively. “Would you mind if I took your place for just a little while?” Said angel let out a guffaw of laughter at the suggestion. “A weakling like you? Look after something as important as Eden? You hardly survived the war. What if that nasty serpent comes around again? What would you do? Simply wish it gone? Wait for the boss to come save you?”
Azrael scoffed irritably at the answer. “That was a one time occurrence. I’ve come a long way since then.” “If you say so, saves me time.” And with that no further conversation ensued. The other spread his wings ascending higher into heaven’s vanishing under a thick mass of clouds. In hindsight very few of God’s workers were permitted access to Eden, and maybe just maybe with the faintest glimmer of hope Azrael could achieve what no angel ever could.
Perhaps he could become one of the few under God’s command to see all the wonders Earth had to offer beyond the garden, finally able to lead a life that differentiated itself from life in heaven entirely. He could just imagine it, him a cherubim one of the lowest ranks an angel could possess, working alongside the elites. Azrael’s chest swelled with pride at the thought. No, pride was a bad thing that had led to the damnation of many others that had disobeyed the lord’s orders. Damned to an eternity of suffering to repent for the enormity of their actions.
From the rebellion, heaven lost some of their most respected angels including Lucifer who’s mind became corrupted with sin, attempting to overthrow God with the help of his disciples, a cataclysmic event that caused a rebellion which resulted in failure. As punishment after heaven proved victorious in winning the war, the fallen or demons as they were now called were sealed beneath the Earth’s core locked away never to be found again. Azrael had encountered one of the fallen during the conflict. Zazel was their name, she and Azrael fought dusk and dawn until only one was left standing amongst the carnage, feathers torn and blood splattered across the battlefield. Azrael was left weakened from the attack becoming reliant on his allies for survival. From out the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of a radiant yellow orb flutter past him in an awkward manner.
He reached out to touch the orb only to discover his hand phased through the transparent ball of light. An overwhelming sense of happiness flooded the angel at the orbs’ arrival, Azrael was unsure to see the reasoning behind why that was. The ball of light danced around him happily almost as if it were happy to see him, greeting him as one would greet a long lost friend. Another one of his peers drew in closer from the distance, feet stomping against the cloudy terrain. The orbs’ light faltered, and the sense of euphoria faded away with the dying glow. Azrael cupped his hands around the light eager to preserve the feeling, the light dimmed dying under his touch, remnants of golden mist blackened blowing away with a non-existent gust of wind. Said angel in question merely watched on a horrified expression plastered on his face.
***
The night was gloomy in The Garden of Eden. Clouds huddled together opaquely masking the moon’s comforting glow from view. Azrael admired the few visible constellations. Stars twinkled like thousands of fireflies clustered across the inky darkness. Truly one of God’s greatest creations the angel thought inhaling a fresh breath of air, oxygen he believed it was called. Just like his co-worker promised Azrael was offered the job so long as he abided by one condition, he wasn’t to go beyond the garden. The job he was tasked with was simple enough, guard the gate leading to the main entrance to ensure neither Adam or Eve escaped before the final phase of God’s plan was enacted. Azrael was quick to esconce himself behind the comfort of a large fruit tree far from Adam and Eve’s prying eyes. Azrael was to observe them documenting their every move like a scientist studying lab rats trapped in a cage. Eve prototype 1 (Previously named Lilith) had proved to be a failure after her refusal to bond and pursue marital affairs with Adam.
This only proved itself apparent once more after the events with the serpent and the tree of forbidden wisdom transpired. Lilith was thereby banished from the garden as punishment for her defiance, as well as unknowingly unleashing despair onto the world causing nature to erupt into chaos. Lilith was never seen again after that day. Rumors spread around Heaven faster than wild-fire and one theory stated Lilith had succumbed to the cruelty of the outside world and to ease panic upstairs her body was hidden, buried under the same tree that played a role in her demise. But rumors will be rumors Azrael mused quietly to himself. A silver scroll, along with a quill and canister of ink the color of gold sat close beside his thigh. Must have been left by the previous angel he presumed dipping the feather’s tip into the golden ink.
‘Human Analysis’
He scribbled in large letters at the heading of the paper, pausing for a moment he tapped the feather’s point against the top thoughtfully. Resuming to jot down a few facts regarding humans under the heading.
‘Requires food and must be watered daily’
‘Haven’t grown wings yet.’
‘Plants that talk back’
Little did Azrael know he’d left the garden gate wide open, blatant realization hit him upon hearing a loud thunk hit against the bark of a nearby tree. Lifting his robe high above the ground, Azrael abandoned his placement, treading along the garden’s circumference scouting the area for any visible signs of life. None, none whatsoever. There was no lizards sunbathing on trees, no birds nor crickets chirping their sweet melodies from high above the canopy of trees, or down hidden in the thicket of the garden. Azrael tipped over a rock with his foot frantically searching for anything that resembled God’s creations. (And no, that doesn’t just mean the plants.) Soon enough the garden was in ruins looking more like a level five hurricane hit full force by the time the angel’s panic subsided. He gripped a fist full of his black locks anxiously.
“Why do you panic winged one?” A voice echoed softly to his side. “Who… who are you?” Azrael questioned slowly removing his hands from his hair. Looking to his right another one of those strange orbs hovered a few feet above the uprooted dirt. This one however didn’t share the same air of joy the previous did. Instead it carried a deep inexplicable feeling of hatred. Azrael frowned feeling a rush of despair sweep into his veins. “You see that tree in the far beyond of the garden? Any angel would die for a lick of fruit from the tree of wisdom.” “Tree of wisdom? I thought I wasn’t to eat from it.” “But God never said anything about you being forbidden to touch the fruit.”
Azrael eyed the light distrustfully before he eventually obliged with much hesitance. Stepping before the hill of the tree he reached upwards for the lowest branch twisting the fruit off the stem. The golden apple glistened in the eye of the sun daringly, almost taunting him to take a bite. Azrael took a large bite, his teeth tore into the golden fruit like a rabid animal. He then took another bite and another until the forbidden fruit was gone. He licked his lips now he understood why both Lilith and Eve couldn’t resist the temptation for the fruit was sweet; addictive like a drug. Grabbing another apple off the ground he ripped the skin clean off the apple savoring each bite as a predator would its prey. To this day apples continue to be his favorite fruit.
