Free War of Wings

done that to us?”
    “That is impossible.”
    “Is it?” Lucifer saw on Saraquel’s face that he was teetering on the brink. “God speaks of the importance of wisdom. Why then does reality contradict His very teachings?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “I know you don’t because no one can answer that. And the only one who claims He has an answer says He had no beginning. But I asked Him personally. He simply says, ‘Have faith.’ Well, no thanks. Not anymore. I encourage you to think for yourself. Don’t let Him do it for you. It’s time for a change in thinking. And that time is now.”

M ichael always thought he knew everything; that was nothing new. Gabriel wasn’t going to let it bother him. Besides, Arrayah seemed to have forgiven him for the building incident. Compared to how things had been progressing, this was practically time for a small celebration. Gabriel’s fondness of Heaven’s fruits was tempting him; saving half the angels could wait. He worked his way over to the Spiritapple Field south of the Great Mountain and the Provender, where he could feast on the sweetest fruit in all of Heaven.
    Gabriel descended to the orchard and grabbed a spiritapple from the ground. It had green, pointed leaves, and the fruit inside was protected by a hard outer skin. He simply pulled on the leaves on top, and it exposed the white fruit and its sparkling mist. Inside the fruit was a narrow chamber filled with its ever-so-sweet juice. Gabriel took a large bite, and it immediately sent endorphins from his toes to his wingtips. It heightened his mental clarity and boosted feelings of happiness, openness, and love even as he became hyperaware of sound, light, and movement. This was just in the first sip. Most angels only enjoyed one like they were supposed to, and they followed proper protocol by replanting the leaves in the soil. Not Gabriel.
    By the time Saraquel approached him, he was lying on his back and at least fifteen square feet of the field had been plucked, opened, and the juice sucked dry. None of them had been replanted. Gabriel had every intention of cleaning up his mess—just not now. He was feeling good. Very good. He almost got up when he saw the angel flying in, but it was Saraquel. No big deal.
    “Gabriel, I see you are a fan of the spiritapple,” said Saraquel as he landed.
    “Would you like some? There’s a few I haven’t gotten to, and you’re welcome to them.” He felt rather magnanimous offering this, as he would not have minded draining another dozen. It must be the juice making him so generous, he reflected.
    “You know you are supposed to eat the fruit and not just drink the juice, right?”
    “Of course.” With that, he tipped another and drank its juice in one continuous slurp. “I have had an excellent day, at least one small part of it, so I am celebrating.”
    “Have you heard anything strange from Michael lately? I am actually concerned about him.”
    Gabriel laughed.
    “Why are you laughing?”
    “Nothing.”
    “I just spoke with Michael briefly.”
    “You did? What did he say about me?”
    Saraquel looked confused. “He didn’t say anything about you.”
    “Oh. Well, God has been speaking to him personally lately, and he said He showed him something unbelievable.”
    Saraquel fidgeted nervously. “Has he spoken to God in person?”
    “He said God showed him something in a dream. A seraph has recently spoken to me as well. There are some strange things going on.” Perhaps it was the spiritapple juice, but Gabriel felt perfectly content to share everything on his mind, even with Saraquel.
    “I would agree. Things are changing.”
    “That’s for sure.” Gabriel ripped the top off another spiritapple and gulped the juice inside. “These are so sweet. Here.” He tore the top from another and tossed it to Saraquel, who almost dropped it.
    “Listen, I think Michael has been trying to move up the ranks, so he is acting like God appreciates him more than the rest of