Funny how things sometimes come to you at random. I guess one could call this a short story, but to me it is a mental snippet of a much larger story. I don't know if i will ever get around to finishing it, but if i don't, thats ok. I will eventually revise this, as it is completely raw, but i was curious what people would think of something raw and unrelated to my other story. Enjoy

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There they stood, or to be more correct, there they floated. An army of what appeared to be angels forming a dome of sorts that rose thought he clouds, completely surrounding the strange light the staff had made. 8 of the 9 people that stood in the center of this dome fell to their knees, holding their arms together at the wrists and in plain sight.

The last, who had flown several hundred feet into the sky with the light of the staff, came gently down to the ground. As his feet touched the ground, several hundreds of arrows were released from a small area of the 'dome' of angels, all aimed at the small group. Quickly the man in the center raised his hands, forcing the arrows to stop just 10 or so feet from their intended targets. With a glare cold enough to freeze water, the man looked up at the group of people who had let loose their arrows.

"Hold your fire! Lower all weapon!!" came a voice from far above. Everyone within audible range of the voice quickly complied, shifting their bows behind their backs and sheathing their swords. Those out of range saw what was happening above them and also stood down. Only the couple of dozen who had let loose their arrows continued to hold their weapons.

A single angel flew down towards those who remained armed. Unlike the others who wore armor made of chain mail or plate, this angel wore a white cloak that covered all but his wings. These wings were also different, for instead of white, their feathers were as black as midnight. His face, normally concealed by the hood of the cloak, was exposed now, along with his jet black hair. It was strong, masculine, and strangely calm given the strength and urgency that had been in his voice.

"Why do you remain armed?" he asked as he approached the small group.

"They are our enemies are they not?" said one, a more feminine looking angel with blond hair.

"Those people whipped out an entire army of demons without suffering any harm or casualties," said another, masculine with red hair. "Not 2 weeks ago they did the same to a group of priests in a church to the north."

"They are too random, unpredictable, dangerous," said several others.

"This is all true," said the cloaked angel, "but you do not know who those people are. There is a reason they do the things they do."

"What possible reason could they have for fighting on both sides?" shouted one further up.

"What gives them the right?" yelled another.

"Who are they?" said one right in front of the cloaked angel. This one was feminine and appeared younger than the rest. Her hazel brown hair was tied behind her back in a ponytail unlike any of those around her, and she wore what appeared to be leather armor, not plate or chain.

"They are the ones who once made up the Avatar of Creation," said the cloaked angel. Immediately half of those who had remained armed lowered their bows, shock and awe filling their being. "More specifically, they are the elemental sages, and are blessed by god."

"How can that be?" questioned the red-haired angel. "They kill good and evil indiscriminately! How could god bless them?"

"The same way he blesses and watches over humanity, despite their seemingly endless flaws," replied the cloaked angel. "Those 9 people down there possess more power than everyone here, combined. To try and harm them would be suicide. I tell you to lower your weapons for your safety, not theirs."

After a few more moments hesitation, all but one of the angels sheathed and shifted their weapons. "They are too dangerous," said the angel who remained armed. "They cannot be allowed to live." In that instant, the red haired angel let loose a single shot, aimed for the man who still stood in the center of the wasteland at the bottom of the dome of angels.

Before he knew what was happening, the red haired angel found himself facing the man, nearly 20 feet away. "What is this trickery?" he yelled as he turned around. It was then that the arrow he had let fly struck him in the center of his chest. With start his body convulsed, stiffened, and fell to the ground. As he lay there, blood flowing from the wound, the man walked and stood over the fallen angel. "Curse you!" sputtered the angel. "Curse you and your damned race of men!"

"Your destruction is of no fault of mine," said the man calmly. His voice was familiar, too familiar. Slowly the angel looked up and into the eyes of the man. Eyes filled with light and a glow oh too familiar to the Celestials. "You brought this upon yourself, my child."

"My lord?" asked the angel weakly, his sight beginning to fail him. "I..don't...understand...."

"The Avatars were created in order to act as myself in this mortal plane. My power is too great for me to enter the physical realm. In exchange for a consciousness of their own and freedom, these beings act as my hands in this world. Those they harm...and those they help are those I will my wrath and aid upon."

The world was growing dark, the man's voice muffled. "what is happening to me?" he asked, almost pleading.

"The moment you chose to judge this man and attempt to send him to the abyss was the moment you lost yourself," replied the man whose voice was now filled with sorrow. "You have fallen from grace. I am sorry....my child." The man's voice continued to fade until it was no more.

What seemed like an instant later, the angel was bathed in light. A man in a white coat was holding him now, carrying him to two women who were ready with towels. 'What is happening to me?' he thought as the women began to rub him down.

'Your second chance' echoed a voice in his head. The angel turned to see the cloaked angel, this time covered from head to toe. 'Have you ever wondered why our lord originally created humanity? In the beginning, it was punishment for those who disobeyed his decrees. As time passed however, he grew to love them and forgive them for their transgressions, despite their tendency to accept evil. Hell is where those who cannot hear god's voice or those who deny god will eventually go. Earth is the place for souls to redeem themselves, as you must now. Until we meet again, Kae'el'

Then the cloaked angel turned and walked away, completely unnoticed by the people around him. Kae'el tried to shout for him, get the cloaked angel to return, but to his dismay, all he could do was cry.

"He has some strong lungs, Dr. Paul," said one of the nurses.

"He does indeed," replied the doctor as he picked up the child, now wrapped in a white towel. "Mr. and Mrs. Tristan, meet you new son."

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