As he helped me to feet, I could only nod.

A sad smile broke on his face. “Flee to Earth and find help, if there is any to be had. We cannot win this war alone.”

I suddenly regretted agreeing. “But my place is here, by y-“

“Then you will die with our beloved Kingdom,” he said without rancor. “We are lost, but by sealing Eden we might buy some time for the miraculous.”

“God has left us. There are no more miracles in the world,” my words were like gravestones, tumbling heavy from my mouth.

“Perhaps, but do not give in to despair. You fought for Heaven despite the odds against it, for though He might be gone from our world, the Father still lives within our hearts. If it is His will that we are to fall, then so be it, but I do not believe He would cast us aside so easily.”

I met Uriel’s eyes and saw the conviction that burned inside their depths. He truly believed there was still hope. I couldn’t refuse him his request, though I didn’t share his faith. I agreed to do as he asked. After, he turned back to the battle, clearing the way for me to reach Eden.

Slowed by my wounds, I stumbled through the gates and made my way across the Garden. Every step was agony to both my flesh and my heart. I could hear the battle at my back, its roar slowly fading as I left it behind. It felt as though I too was abandoning Heaven as God had, leaving my people to die as I did nothing to save them. But I’d given my word to Uriel that I would seek out help, and so I would.

As I stepped through the Earth-side gates of Eden and fell into the bright blue sky, I could think of only one person I could turn to who might help to win Heaven free of its enemies.

God help us all.

Prohibition Black and Blues

Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something inherently uncomfortable about having the barrel of a gun named Tommy shoved in your mouth.