Hadriel looked on as the golden ball of heat sank in the flamboyant horizon of countless shades of orange and black; the perfect grotesque sunset that further reminded him of the world he inhabited; morbid and full of iniquity.

It was time. He needed to meet the one who promised him answers, he recalled the address that was written on the paper he’d discarded the night before at the bar and sprouted his wings. 

“Are you going somewhere?” Muriel questioned and Hadriel sighed inwardly, he hadn’t the time to deal with questions, he had enough of his own to worry about.

“I am, I am not sure when I will be back.” He called over his shoulder, before she could answer Hadriel let himself free fall of the Cathedral, enjoying the descend downwards, inches before he hit the ground, he manipulated the air beneath his wings and soared upwards, he stayed in angel form since he was not expecting a battle tonight.

Hadriel’s destination was located on the edge of the city where few houses and families resided, closer to where he needed to be he retracted his wings and walked on foot. He stopped on the outside of a leviathan building; two cylindrical supports granting entrance into the Hindu Temple, there were no doors ensuring that all felt welcome at any given time. 

His gaze followed the path he would soon take and his eyes rested on the giant stature representation of the Hindu God, Shiva. He was the first God to be seen, further inside Hadriel could see other Gods crucial to the Hindu faith scattered in such a fashion that it seemed as if the Gods created a circle to safely house visitors. 

Out of immense respect, Hadriel bowed at the foot of the steps leading into the Temple, his left hand touching his the creak in his right, while his fingers on his right hand touched the steps, he brought the hand back up to touch his forehead and then his heart. He straightened, this was a place of worship, just because he didn’t serve an actual God but rather a cause introduced by angels who crave authority didn’t mean that he couldn’t respect the Gods of another faith.

Hadriel climbed the short steps and was greeted by the Temple’s holy keeper; a Pundit. He bowed and touched the man’s feet. Providing such a place for hope was a courageous thing and Hadriel admired men, not only the Hindu leaders but also Muslim ones and the ones that serve as a leader for the faith he belonged to, having that much faith in a higher power was a gift not many truly possessed. Faith, unquestionable faith was something he couldn’t help but admire in these humans, it played with his mind, twisting him to try and be what the people who worship them thought they were. What they don’t realise is that the higher power they believe in may not have the luxury of caring.

“Fascinating, isn’t it.” Hadriel turned his head to the side to see the entity from last night; he stared at the statue of the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, Sarasvati; where Hadriel had stopped to admire the Goddess’s unique attire. Hadriel remained silent; the angel beside him seemed unharmed and different somehow. When Hadriel first encountered this angel a little way from the Cathedral in full combat with a demon, he was supposed to deliver this angel to the Council but Hadriel had let him go, he’d seen the tiredness and fatigue lacing the angel’s body, now there was less of it. He told Hadriel that he could help him and now, out of options he tracked the angel down and hopefully he would gain what he sought to keep Missouri safe.

“I have always wondered whether or not these divine entities existed, although I have always believed that we are not the only true religions.” The unknown angel spoke and Hadriel secretly believed so too. Hadriel was broken out of his spell by the previous night’s occurrences flooding his mind; Missouri.

“You once told me that I need your help, what did you mean?” Hadriel questioned.

“The girl under your protection, I know what she is, and I know your true enemy.” He answered.

“Why should I trust an angel who has forsaken the rule of heaven?” Hadriel inquired, he needed to know the information he was about to receive was free of falsehood.

“I was in hiding.” He stated simply.

“Our angels are beyond avid warriors, we could’ve protected you.” Hadriel responded.

“I couldn’t go to those who I was hiding from.” He countered and Hadriel’s eyes widened. He was hiding from angels? Why?

“No need for that now, I brought something for you.” He insisted and handed Hadriel a book bound in leather, Hadriel recognised it instantly. “This is the book of angel mythology written by the Thrones of heaven. This was lost. How do you have this?” Hadriel questioned.

“It wasn’t lost, just safely kept all these years.” 

Hadriel held the book in his hands and longed to open the sealed pages. He knew that this conversation would be better held in private. “Shall we go to the Cathedral; you can tell me what your theories are there.” Hadriel offered and the angel nodded in agreement. 

Satael wondered frantically, he was now informed that Hadriel had left and he was in a state of confusion. Happening upon Leo, Satael questioned, “Where’s Missouri?”

Leo stared back puzzled, something was off about Satael, he seemed fidgety.  “She’s in her room, why?” 

“Bring her to me.” Satael ordered without answering Leo. “Why?” he asked again.

“The Council want to see her.” Satael confessed. 

“Then Hadriel will take her.” Leo insisted.

“Hadriel is not here, we don’t know when he’ll be back.” Satael countered, he was obviously growing impatient.

“I am certain he will be back shortly, he can take her then.” Leo didn’t trust the Council and he felt that Missouri would be safer in the hands of Hadriel.

“I will not keep them waiting, Leo. Bring me the girl!” He snapped.

“How about I carry her, you don’t need to take the burden.” Leo offered.

“When Hadriel’s not here, I am in charge and I shall bring the girl to the Council. You are under oath to heed me.” Satael growled and Leo knew he had to concede, he just hopped that Hadriel returned quickly.