Sarakiel

Sarakiel can only remember snatches of color from her childhood. Golds and whites, the beautiful colors of the Heavenly Hosts as they watched over her and the rest of the young angels. She can remember their songs. Heavenly, pure, choir music that calmed the younger angels, and helped them to rest, with visions of light in their heads. Sometimes she would try and stay awake through the music, yearning to listen to more of it.

As she became older, Sarakiel became known for her devout nature. She looked up to their leaders. Michael, with his hide like a radiant full moon, and Gabriel, with his brilliant wings, like plucked suns. Sarakiel can still remember the feeling of awe when he first came upon her and began to speak with her. Over time, the two of them grew ever closer. Sarakiel shared all of her thoughts with him, and he listened well. She was only dimly aware of the stares the two of them got. Other angels, all wondering why an archangel was so interested in Sarakiel, given her lower status.

When it finally came time to choose her faction, Sarakiel didn’t hesitate. She stepped forwards, towards Gabriel. As the watching angels celebrated her choice, Sarakiel met Gabriel’s eyes and hoped that he could see her joy pulsating through her.

Life moved quickly, after she made her choice. Years of loyal service to Gabriel, and years of proving herself an intelligent and capable dragon paid off in the form of various promotions in the ranks. Even as she served underneath him, Gabriel continued to spend time with her. The two of them grew even closer, and Sarakiel found herself longing to spend even more time with him.

She was only dimly aware of how strange it was for the two of them to be so close. It felt so good to be able to confide in him, and for him to be able to confide in her. The two relied on one another for many things. Gabriel would often ask for her opinion on battle plans, and strategies. She would give advice, and Gabriel would thoughtfully accept it and move onwards. Other angels whispered about their ‘mating’ but Sarakiel brushed it off. Archangels couldn’t have mates anyways, and their relationship was much deeper and holier.

He was her world, in a sense. She rarely left the area around his temple, and other dragons could always be sure to find her there. The golds and whites of the temple and the surroundings are comforting in a way that Sarakiel hadn’t truly experienced since she was merely a fledgling. It felt more homely than any other place she had ever been to.

Sarakiel had proven herself over and over again by the time she managed to get placed at the forefront of Gabriel’s army. It was a glorious feeling, to lead his holy soldiers against the dark forces fighting against them. She led many of the battles, and picked up a few cuts and scrapes as she did so.

The only time she was seriously injured came during the last battle. Things were going well; she had felled a few demons without barely a scratch on her. Then she spotted the flash of Lavender in the corner of her eye and turned. Sarakiel was face to face with the dangerous demon know as Sytry. She felt a small pang of fear, but squashed it. She was strong and experienced, and Sarakiel had confidence that she could at least hold him off on her own.

It was brutal. They traded blows, but Sarakiel felt like she barely made a scratch on Sytry’s hide. Eventually, she was bound to make a mistake. She misstepped once, and Sytry pounced on the opportunity. Sarakiel could feel his claws and demonic aura on her, and she tried to wriggle free to no avail. She thought she was going to die.

Despite this, she felt strangely calm. The noise of the battle faded into silence, and it seemed like Sarakiel’s entire world was captured in this one moment. She could see Sytry raise his claws as if to finish her off, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to fend off the next attack. Just as she could see him prepare for the final strike, her allies appeared to help.

As the other angels all helped to fend him off, Sarakiel felt her eyes begin to close out of exhaustion. The last thing she saw before she passed out was the worried gazes of the other angels in her garrison.

When she next came to, Sarakiel was in Gabriel’s Temple and under the care of the menders there. They told her what she had expected. She was lucky to be alive, and she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. As her wounds healed, Sarakiel began to feel impatient. Despite what happened, Sarakiel is itching to get back out of the Temple and go back to work for Gabriel and to lead his soldiers into battle once more.


Art by SanctumAngelus