Gabriel dared never dream that the thing he wanted most would land so smoothly in his lap, but it had. Thanks to the machinations of DCH.

And he'd almost dismissed them as petty, nothing more than perhaps another thorn in Raphael's side. Gabriel enjoys causing his nemesis trouble even if said trouble ends up being little more than an annoying insect.

He'd been wrong about DCH however as they have proven their worth three times over with their latest gift alone. Yet Gabriel wants more: he wants Raphael's head on a spike and he wonders if DCH may have offered just that opportunity' These thoughts chase through his mind as he makes his way towards the small prison where his current prey is housed.

If he can get her to confess Raphael's crimes then perhaps Gabriel will get that which he most wants; Raphael's demise. But she has yet to break and with the passing of every hour she seems to drift further and further from sanity. He needs to work fast before she looses it completely.

Entering the containment area, a small dimensional rift he's created for her prison, he finds Belial hanging unconscious. He scowls as he paces around the diminutive figure. He had predicted she'd break far sooner than this. Gabriel hadn't intended on taking things to such excess, but Belial is stubborn and has forced his hand.

Yes, all of this is her fault. Had she'd confessed he'd have made her stay here much more pleasant. In fact, he would have preferred it. It could have been a lot more fun for the pair of them.

Gabriel was the one who'd given the Angelic Arcane to DCH. They had promised results although Gabriel still isn't sure how they'd known she would come. When he had questioned the demonic attorneys they had offered only vague answers. Gabriel was forced to put his trust in them and his greed to see Raphael brought down overrode any common sense.

Gabriel had sent three of his most prized Angels to gather the Arcane while Raziel was occupied elsewhere. Luckily for all involved, Raziel had been busy and absent, his attentions focused far from his set *Duties* and the Arcane left wide open for the stealing.

Gabriel had compiled the spells very carefully. He wanted to ensure that Bel couldn't escape from her physical shell for he personally had need of it. Nor did he want her able to commune with others, who would no doubt come rushing to her rescue, or at very least try. Mainly however the goal was to ensnare her essence; an Angelic prison, so to speak.

All of this has been done before to other misbehaving Angels therefore Gabriel does not feel he's stepped outside the "laws", or "rules", of his race. Indeed, he feels rather justified as he hopes this will uncover the crimes Raphael has committed; crimes that Gabriel deems punishable.

Yes, Gabriel has plenty to excuse his behavior for what he does he does out of *Duty*. It is, after all, according to his nature.

Dark, black eyes stare at the small female form hanging from the cross as he contemplates what tactics to employ today. That odd energy still rides through her, he notes. There is something familiar about it, yet he can't place it. It is almost as if her essence has been tainted by others. Perhaps it is the way she feeds, recharges" Perhaps she's polluted herself on the energies of those in Rhy"Din"

Angels, demons, they are all creatures of energy. To survive outside of Heaven or Hell they must feed off of external energies created by the cycle of life, fueled by emotions like lust, love, greed, hatred. The more intense the emotion the more power there is to be gained by consuming it.

Belial has been far too long in the physical realms. Could this be what has given birth to the surge, granting her this overabundance of power" Or was it Raphael's irreverent use of Angelic Arcane" Gabriel doesn't pretend to have the answers but he knows that he must break through that energy if he is to gain the upper hand. Yet so far nothing he has thought up has given him the edge therefore he must stoop to ever increasing extremes. Some might not have the stomach for such work, but not Gabriel. He has come to enjoy such experiences, perhaps even gleefully anticipating them.

Placing a hand on her forehead he pushes limp locks of short black hair from her face. Black eyes bore through the flesh, sinking inside the shell to stir the fragile Angel awake. He feels her rising towards consciousness and knows from a millennium of experiences that this is the best time to strike. She is at her most vulnerable. His hand caresses her battered and bruised face before moving to the crown of her head. He gathers a handful of smelly hair and brutally tugs her head upwards.

"Wake up, Belial! What has Raphael done to you?! Tell me and all this will stop." He watches her struggle to open swollen eyes as he feels her rouse under his steely vice-like grip. Her mouth works as if to form words but no sound comes. He yanks her head harshly to the side, bringing her ear near his lips.

"Tell me the truth and I will free you, Belial. Confess what Raphael has done!" Her response is slow and sluggish as if she's rapidly fading away. The reaction infuriates him. His free hand snatches up one of the many tools of torture from a nearby table. He eyes the sharpened blade before wielding it upon her already savaged flesh. He can feel the agony it brings her and a smile graces his face. Yes, he does find much enjoyment in the suffering of others.

To his great astonishment Belial is suddenly lost to him. The energy that has kept her alive through these past months of abuse springs free of all coils. The physical shell that once housed her sags lifeless and empty; he's pushed too hard and too long. Belial is dead.

He feels no remorse at her passing as in his opinion this is fair punishment for Raphael. If Gabriel can take all that his Brother holds dear away he would be exceedingly pleased by the misery inflicted and consider his efforts well-rewarded.

The time of reckoning is upon them. As with all things they too must face the consequences of their actions. The Unpure must sacrifice for losing their sanctity.

I have the dubious honor of being my Angelic brethrens" keeper. It has always been my *Duty* to call the *Final Judgment*, to hail in the End of Days as well as retain the purity of my race" and yours. However my position was wrested away when Michael and Gabriel made such decisions without me.

They had presumed to appropriate my *Duties* and must face the punishment befitting their crimes.

I freely confess that I have and will continue to manipulate Raphael and Raziel. They are my pawns; tools to be used in order that I may serve my duties accordingly.

When I foresaw the direction politics Above were taking I made my decision. I inducted the purist of my fellow Seraph. I kept them secret, I made them safe. Perhaps my choices were not the kindest, nor may they have been easy on Raphael and Raziel, but I had known, even then, that sacrifice was a necessity. The innocence of Angels was lost at my hands but it was a price I willingly paid to ensure my Duty be done.

Once the punishment of Asziel was complete the time was ripe. I had garnered the power necessary to accomplish my next goal and hence I returned home.

Should I mourn the sacrifices made" Should I feel guilt for those who have suffered so that punishment can be meted out' Had I been made mortal or lesser than I was perhaps these emotions would haunt me. Alas, I feel only the satisfaction for seeing my Duties done. It is not an empty feeling, but I suspect there is warmth in compassion that I may never taste. Raphael may heal the others of our race, but his talents are lost on me.

Summoning the Seraph to the High Council is second nature for us. It is little more than a thought really. Can you conceive it, you mortals with your myriad of words" Compelled as you are to speak aloud, believing there is weight only in what is heard externally.

With ease they assemble. I watch them with dispassionate distance holding none of them close or dear; unlike Raphael or Raziel I feel little connection to these, my brothers.

I wait until all have arrived, save one. It is now that I summon Gabriel.

Does he suspect?

You could ask him but I am ready and have no cares.

As he enters the Council Chambers I feel the pleasure leaking from him; he has only performed according to his nature. Or so he tells himself. His thoughts are so easily read, like an open book.

Soon their attention focuses on me, the Caller. Not translucent or diaphanous like clouds, or fluid like water, but concrete like dirt and rock. They wait with patience inbred for the reason of my summoning. I let them wait.

All things in good time.

Image after image, scene after scene unfolds of Gabriel's manipulations of Michael. As Michael slips further from sanity, deeper in to the pits of self-created dementia, Gabriel is there advising, directing Michael towards the inevitable fall from grace for our entire race. Gabriel has been very busy; from the building of the Great Wall to the bringing down the End of Days, and, at last, the kidnapping and torture of one of our own.

The kaleidoscope pauses with the death-like sag of Belial held by forbidden and stolen Angelic Arcane. There is no doubt left as to who the culprit is. A collective gasp erupts from those gathered as all attention falls on Gabriel.

Gabriel growls as he moves toward the remains staining the chamber's floor. "This is an Abomination!" He insists, "Created by Raphael! Why is he not the one being summoned for judgment"!" "Because he was instructed to perform the task." I reply calmly.

"By whom"!" demands Gabriel.

"Who has such rights Gabriel?" I inquire.

"Only Michael, Raquel. So who stands to judge you for your transgression?" Gabriel's anger cannot be kept hidden any longer; there is force and hatred tainting his words.

"Is he right Michael; are you the only one who can ask such?" I already know the answer as does Michael but I am happy to cater to Gabriel's foolishness. It only makes him look worse in the eyes of his brethren.

"You know he's not, Raquel. Pass your judgment, Friend of God, but know that I will intervene on his behalf!" Michael snaps. "And know this, Raquel: I will ask the Creator for mercy!"

Gabriel looks from Michael to me then back to Michael appalled, the reality of his desperate situation finally sinking in. "No, this cannot be true..."

"Oh, but it is, dear Brother." I coolly interject. "You should be reassured by Michael's words, however. If there is any who can beg mercy for you it would be he."

"Pass Your Judgment, Friend of God! Then crawl back in to the hole from whence you came!" commands Michael in growing agitation.

Perhaps he is worried he may be next"

"As you wish Michael." I reply turning my attention from Michael to Gabriel before proceeding. "For your crimes against your race Gabriel you are cast from Heaven to walk the mortal world trapped in physical flesh for the term of one thousand years. Take this time to contemplate your wrong-doing so that we are assured you will not commit such crimes again."

There is a collective gasp of horror from those gathered. Few can imagine the cost of this punishment and fewer would willingly survive it. "Know that any attempt to return Above will be useless. The gates will be closed to your energy until your sentence has been served. As for your Duties and Angelic Powers" They will be suspended until your return."

Yes, the energy and effort I have put in to this moment, the planning and plotting, have at last paid off. Gabriel has been gifted a punishment most befitting.