Gabriel didn't sleep that night. How could he? The weight of the encounter with Lucifer, his brother now twisted by darkness, haunted him. Every moment of the confrontation replayed in his mind—Lucifer's mocking smile, the chilling certainty in his voice. You'll learn, like the others. The Fallen will rise, and you will fall with them.
But Gabriel couldn't fall. Not now. He had a purpose, a destiny. He was Gabriel, the Angel of Judgment, and he would do whatever it took to stop Lucifer and the Fallen from bringing ruin to the Earth.
The morning came too soon. The rain had stopped, leaving the city damp and cold, the air heavy with anticipation. Gabriel paced the apartment he had once called home, a place that now felt too small, too ordinary. His powers had grown since that night on the rooftop—he could feel it in the way his body moved, the way his senses sharpened. The transformation was undeniable, and yet, it was also terrifying. He was no longer just Gabriel, the boy who scavenged for food in the city's ruins. He was something else—something powerful, something feared.
The people in the streets below didn't know what was coming. The chaos was still brewing beneath the surface, but they carried on, going about their lives as if nothing had changed. They couldn't see the storm gathering in the skies, couldn't feel the tension in the air. They couldn't feel what Gabriel could feel.
He knew the Fallen Angels weren't far. Lucifer's words echoed in his mind, and he understood now that his brother wasn't just a symbol of rebellion. He was the harbinger of destruction, the leader of a force that had come to annihilate everything that remained. Gabriel wasn't just fighting for himself anymore. He was fighting for Earth, for humanity—the ones who didn't even know they were on the verge of extinction.
The phone in his pocket buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message—a simple one, sent from an unknown source.
"They're coming. You are not alone. Meet me at the old cathedral at midnight."
No name, no signature. Just those words, with a sense of urgency that Gabriel couldn't ignore.
Who could this be? Gabriel wondered. He'd met few people in his life who were worth trusting. The rest were either too afraid of the city's underworld to speak up, or too lost in their own survival to care. But something about this message felt different. It felt… right. He had no choice but to follow it.
Nightfall came quickly, and with it, the haunting quiet of the abandoned streets. Gabriel made his way toward the cathedral, his footsteps steady but purposeful. The old church stood in the middle of the city like a forgotten monument, half-collapsed from years of neglect, but still strong enough to serve as a symbol of something better, something older. The storm clouds still lingered overhead, casting the city in a dim, ominous light.
As he approached the cathedral's steps, Gabriel felt the presence before he saw it—a figure cloaked in shadows, standing at the entrance. The figure didn't move, but Gabriel could sense their gaze, a sharpness that pierced the silence.
"You came," the figure said, their voice soft but with a strength that echoed through Gabriel's mind. "I knew you would."
Gabriel stepped closer, wary but intrigued. "Who are you?"
The figure finally stepped forward, revealing their face. A woman, older than Gabriel, with eyes that glowed faintly like stars. Her presence radiated power, but there was something in her expression that suggested she had seen too much to be naive.
"My name is Seraphina," she said. "And I've been watching you, Gabriel. I know what you've become. I know what you're up against."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "How do you know about me? About Lucifer?"
Seraphina nodded slowly, her gaze never wavering. "I know more than you think. The Fallen Angels are not just a threat to the Earth—they are a threat to the entire realm of existence. Lucifer, Medussa, Chronos—they are only the beginning. They are gathering an army. They will strike in full force, and when they do, nothing will be able to stop them."
Gabriel's chest tightened. "Then what can we do?"
"There is a way to stop them," Seraphina said, her voice steady. "But it requires more than just your power. You will need the strength of the Celestial Order—both the Heavenly Angels and the Gods themselves."
"The Gods?" Gabriel scoffed. "The Gods abandoned this world long ago. They don't care about what happens down here."
Seraphina's gaze softened, but there was no pity in her eyes. "The Gods may have turned their back on Earth, but their power is not gone. It's hidden, buried deep in the ruins of their fallen cities. You must find them, Gabriel. Only with their power, combined with your own, can you defeat Lucifer and the Fallen."
Gabriel stood still, his mind racing. The idea of relying on the Gods—on beings who had long since forsaken Earth—seemed impossible. But Seraphina was right about one thing: Gabriel alone might not be enough. The Fallen were too powerful, and they were already making their move. If he didn't act quickly, everything would be lost.
"Where do I start?" Gabriel asked, determination rising in his chest.
"There's a place," Seraphina said, her eyes narrowing. "A city, hidden in the mountains, where the last of the ancient knowledge is kept. The city of Elantris. That's where you'll find what you need. But be warned—getting there won't be easy. The Fallen will be looking for you."
Gabriel clenched his fists. "I'll find it. I'll do whatever it takes."
Seraphina nodded, stepping back into the shadows. "Then it's time to prepare. You'll need allies, Gabriel. Trust no one fully, but you'll need others to stand with you. The journey will be perilous, but the fate of this world depends on you."
Gabriel stood alone in the cold night, the weight of his mission settling into his bones. He had no choice but to follow Seraphina's advice. The Fallen were coming, and he had to find a way to stop them—no matter the cost.