Arioch

It started as a beam, spreading over my eyes at great intensity. It burned. I remember the sound of my teeth gritting like rocks as I stared directly at it. There was nowhere else to look.

"Levickamon... Can you hear me?" There was a voice in the white void, and it said a name I instinctively knew was mine. "I am Azazel, your Chaperon. Can you see me?"

The light slowly faded, revealing a form I would come to know for the rest of my life. I must say, I was surprised. Azazel's heavy vocals did not match his skinny physique and friendly smile. Behind his ears were two tiny wings, coloured cloud pink. I must have stared at them too long because he hid them bashfully.

Azazel was not the only mystery I had awoken to. There was a whole chamber of contraptions and capsules. I sat up while he fiddled with buttons and screens on the left side of the room. There I was, clueless and dumb. "Where am I?"

"You will learn all you need to. Just sit tight and let me log your details into the system. Time of awakening; 4:15 AMT. Height...serial...level...features." Azazel mumbled words and figures I did not yet understand. His fingers worked so swiftly that they were practically invisible. "Alright, that should be it for now. I will take you to your assigned unit after your orientation. That will be at 6:00 AMT."

"AMT?" I was as lost as the word 'lost' implied.

"Angelic Manmade Time. It makes pairing time frames between the mortal worlds and ours easier. Now let's get you into some clothes." He activated a crate and brought out a suit.

"Clothes?" I said.

"You are what the humans call butt naked, Levickamon." Azazel chuckled.

A couple of moments later, we were in a corridor crowded with creatures who looked nothing like me. Azazel gave a few nods here and there, greeting with that same smile as before.

"Until you climb in rank, everyone you see here is your superior. You must accord them the necessary respect," Azazel said to me. I nodded, hopping behind him like a puppet.

The scene got more complicated as we continued our journey. Soon I did not feel out of place, for I saw others like me who were yet to know who or what they were. We did not all look the same, but our minds were new. We were innocent.

I joined a queue. Orientation was about to start at a grand auditorium. I would soon discover everything I needed to know from the lips of a titan with blue skin. Her name was Marmaroth, and she ran the place.

"Half of you must be wondering why you're here. This is Arioch, a branch of Angel Corp and the birthplace of Angels. You, my young ones, are the next generation of the angelic forces that will maintain the balance set by the Creator."

It was impossible to take my eyes off her. Marmaroth had the head of a falcon. She was spilling out vital information, yet I was more concerned with the shape of her beak.

"I am Marmaroth, Archangel and head Principal of this arm of Angel Corp. Look around you. This is your only family," her tone was fortified with resilience. "More of you will serve in the heavenly host as soldiers. Others will become messengers, choristers, and cherubs if they work hard. You will be great teachers like your Chaperones, thinkers, planners and guardians. When you leave this place, you will discover your purpose. I entreat you to walk that path and bring glory to our Creator. Your Chaperones are your mothers and your fathers. They will make you ready to serve."

We rose in our seats, saluting as they thought us to, reciting the scrolls before we even comprehended them.

"How was it?" Azazel jumped out behind me when we were out of the auditorium.

"Insightful. I am an angel." I blinked at him. He replied that my statements were too robotic.

My unit was Constantine, a city hovering in space. Think of it as a collection of two enormous anthills joined by the side. Getting in was the first lesson. We had to fly up. Some had it easy; they possessed features that gave them a boost. They could manage with a jump or flap of their wings. And the wingless ones like me, well, most of them were talented.

I was Azazel's problem. He had to carry me up.

"What's the matter, newbie? Did your capsule clip your wings?" I got laughed at by a weird creature shaped like a ball with wings. It must have been funny because many others joined him.

"That's Newt, one of the protectors of Constantine...and my former Chaperone." Azazel folded his arms.

"Ah, he's yours? Call me Grandpa, then. Grandpa Newt." Newt floated towards us.

"His name is Levickamon." Azazel scratched his temple. Newt's boisterous nature often overwhelmed him.

"Meh, that's too long. 'Levickamon', I don't have the luxury of mentioning all that. What if there's an emergency and I need help putting on pants? Levi! That's a smarter name to carry around."

"Pfft! Alright old man, we'll call him whatever you want." Azazel grabbed me firmly by the shoulders, urging me to move along.

In a couple of minutes, we were before another group of angels. They stood akimbo, lined up in front of their bunk beds. These were my brothers and sisters. All ten of them; were born two to three days before me.

I recall feeling alone the moment Azazel left. I was the youngest addition to the group, it was their duty to look after me. But they turned their backs the second we were locked in, leaving me to figure things out.

**

At dawn, my eyes shot open. And it wasn't just me; my brothers and sisters were up. I later learned that it was a principle embedded in us. Our very being was programmed to pick signals from a heavenly siren. Only angels could stand the frequency.

On the way out, I missed a step and bumped into the angel in front of me. She turned, her expression cold and unhospitable. I instantly lowered my head, shifting back to avoid eye contact.

"Are you alright?" I was alarmed by the silkiness of her voice. "Take your time and pay attention to the siren. It will pace your steps."

"Thank you, sister."

"Cahethal. That is what you will address me by." She said.

We had breakfast. Most angels required manna to maintain their divine state. Some higher ranks at the pinnacle did not need the daily bread. Their achievements and skills were enough to keep their glory afloat. In the middle of our meal, Newt made a big announcement.

"I come bearing good news. From here, you shall gather at the Kavanah temple, where the Creator will reveal your purpose." He did sound delighted about it. "And no, our Master will not be there in person, so you can't squeal like piglets, asking for autographs. Don't embarrass this household!" It was hard to tell if he wasn't angry in the end.

I snuck behind sister Cahethal when the line moved. She looked over her shoulder but said nothing the entire time. And yet somehow, I felt calmer knowing she was there.

We entered the throne room, a podium where the Archangels of Arioch would bear witness to the Creator's will. It was a long wait. One that could leave an angel dead or certain of greatness. We did not know what the future held for us.

Soon it was Cahethal's turn to face the Archangels. She stood on a podium, facing the Holy Arch formed of gold and light. Within seconds a flame flared out of the Arch. It fell upon my sister's head.

I became worried as Cahethal clamped her fist into a ball, surrendering to the power of the Arch. I flinched when it suddenly blasted out into tiny whisps. Those little flames formed a totem within the holy object. A symbol the elders translated as 'Warrior.'

"Congratulations Angel 5486Z. Cahethal, the Creator blesses you. Serve well in the army of hosts," said the keeper of the Arch. Cahethal did not show any emotions, yet I saw nothing but contentment in her eyes.

"Angel 5923M, step forward." It was my turn. As I walked down the aisle and took the stand, my soul was empty, and my mind was clear. The same flame that engulfed my brothers and sisters flew out to arrest me. It was a force so intense I could not move.

As it left my body, the Archangels leaned forward in their seats; as if something had gone wrong. When I opened my eyes, the holy flames were burning a bright blue.

That wasn't the case for those that came before me. What in heaven did that mean?