#angel engine

Uriel woke up to someone poking him with a stick. Uriel wiped his mouth and sat up, seeing Gabriel. “Oh. Hey.” 

Gabriel looked up. “9 am, Uriel. Aren't you the Regent of the Sun?”

Uriel didn't grace him with a response and stood, seeing the humans doing whatever. “Oh yeah… wait… umm…”

Gabriel wondered how Lu woke him up back then, fully oriented. “The humans saw you passed out and decided to just set up camp. Nearest town is too far out.”

Uriel brushed off his human clothing and Gabriel frowned. “What, you didn't want to sleep in a tent?”

“Look, our beds are hard. I'm used to it. I'll talk to the humans.” 

His older brother hit Uriel on the head with a scroll. “Oh! Mike came through. All these guys? Yeah, bad news to everyone on this list- they're all approved. We'll round them up, don't worry.”

Uriel nodded. “All I know is that they're considered bad people.”

“Yep! Rapists, people who abuse their political powers, regular abusers, psychopaths, murders, some billionaires, cheaters, racist folks, animal abusers, a whole cult who kills in the name of science but actually just for fun and worship an alien god… yeah, they're all guilty. So! How will you make them repent?”

Gabriel saw Uriel walk to the humans. “Uriel!”

He sighed but saw movement. “Ah! Wait. I know that hood. Luci?!”

Luci waved. “Gabe. So! What brings you down to the mortal realm?”

“I dunno! What brings you to the upper world?!” Gabriel was shocked.

Lu looked at Uriel. “I think we're both protecting the same guy. Or did nobody tell you?” He asked.

Gabriel looked between Lu and Uriel, who was looking like he was trying to understand something. “Nope. But yeah, same guy. Don't invite him down there, though.”

“Oh! That reminds me! Why didn't you tell him he's an uncle now?!” Lu demanded.

“Oh?! Raphael once told me he wanted a baby! Why should I encourage that!?”

Uriel looked to see the two of them arguing. “Erm… none of you mind, do you? Compared to everyone else… I'm pretty much babied.”

One scientist shrugged. “Eh. Kinda explains your cluelessness. They keep you away from earth. No fair!”

“To me or them?”

“To you! You have a current and former brother willing to defend you, Uriel!” She gushed. “They love you that much!”

Uriel shrugged a little. “Sorry if they bother you. And… by extension, sorry you now see your sacred angel with the literal devil.”

One woman laughed without joy. “Trust me. I'm not religious so this is just a family reunion to me.”

“Semi religious?” One man said. “I still worship. I just don't go to church. Sorry.”

“I'm Islamic!” One woman said happily. “But I do not mind you, Uriel.”

Some of the others either admitted their religion or lack thereof while also introducing themselves to Uriel. It made him feel welcome as an angel.

Lu stopped. “Oh look! He's making friends!” He cupped his mouth. “You're doing great, Uriel! Luci proud of ya!” He laughed. “Had to, I'm a dad,” he whispered to Gabriel.

Uriel covered his face with his wings. Some of the women awwwed at how adorable he was acting. “Oh, it's alright, Uri!” The nearest patted his arm. “It happens, dear.”

Uriel folded and hid his wings again. “I know.”

He looked to see cars approaching. “They're not the government, right?”

“Oh, no. Some people drove here. A small group went to the nearest town, so we should see- ah! There they are!” She pointed to a few people running in the rising heat.

Uriel nodded. “I see. Apologies about sleeping in. Was… running through plans and trying to… well, not sure now.”

One man held his arm. “Hey. Some of us slept in too. Just… way too many of us already are morning birds. Oh, was meaning to ask- my wife and I brought our kids, is that okay?”

“Well, family is important! I just ask they stay aside to not get hurt with the experiments. And it is better to bring them. At least you know where they are and that they are safe,” Uriel replied with a smile.

The man grinned. “Thank you. We love our sons- we'll keep them nearby.”

“Alright. I have a few announcements to make and after that, I can whip up the pavilion shape if you wish. If not, I understand.”

The people around chattered and spread breakfast around. Uriel found himself with some toast and coffee, which was diluted in water and with milk. Uriel enjoyed it. So this is proper coffee!

The two older angels watched Uriel summon the auroraboard again after it was 10 in the morning, angling the nearest shadows from rocks to shade everyone. Lu and Gabriel had managed to talk out everything and both agreed to tolerate each other for the time being.

Uriel cleared his throat. “Ahem! May I have your attention please?” He called.

Everyone gathered in a semicircle around Uriel and he began answering questions while discussing how to do the pavilion. Everyone present agreed to have Uriel earthbend it up and they attach the screens. For sleep spaces and for the children brought along (humans really love their kids!), the rock Uriel was sleeping on housed a cave full of freshwater and had an opening for sunlight. Everyone who drove parked their car inside the cave on the far side after Uriel shoved the wall to accommodate. The kids ran around as Gabriel covered the hole with a fabric to keep out the sand. 

Outside a few feet away for the concern of the parents, Uriel drew the pavilion in the sand and around it, a charm that would bless all who enter in the pursuit of knowledge. 

The angel took a deep breath and then, he made the structure rise.

With a mighty BOOM! the structure revealed itself and Uriel attached the screens around the openings. The main entrance had two stone wings around it and for this one, they used magnet screens. Everyone cheered and began setting up the tables. 

Some people brought their own equipment. For the others, Uriel asked a few angels for the equipment in his room. It was more than enough, thankfully. Huh. Guess I hoard a lot of this stuff-

He noticed Gabriel flying with his various scrolls and he flew to gather them. “Thank you. These are my notes on subjects.”

Uriel set each science up with textbooks and a copy of his notes on the subject. “Feel free to add notes. Also, sorry about the doodles.”

Soon, there were only a few scrolls left in his possession- a short list on what can harm angels, his scroll containing various Heavenly research, a scroll with everyone's names and their field of study and the angel biology one after Lu gave it back with updated notes. “They're all up to date now, Uriel! Key note, um, do those if you get kicked out.”

Uriel read the scroll and immediately turned pink in shock. “Whoa! Okay! Very… very detailed! Wow.”

Luci nodded. “Exactly,” he said with a smug smile. “There there.”

Uriel couldn't even remember his mission.

“Uriel?”

Gabriel poked him, then read the notes. “Oh ho-les. Lot of holes!”

Lu shrugged. “This would dissuade him from babies. Pity though, Charlie's been asking for a cousin.”

Uriel walked off, distracted. “Hey Gabe, tell the humans to just… do introductions. We start tomorrow.”

Gabriel relayed the message and the humans all chatted amongst themselves in the cave. 

Luci found Uriel reading the notes and then, behind his science coat, probably trying to touch himself in that  area. Thankfully, where they were was far from any life.

Luci looked away after Uriel stood angrily. “It doesn't work! Rrr, dang it!” He threw the notes on the ground.

Oh yeah, he's probably still connected to Heaven, hence why it doesn't work. Luci walked over and sat next to Uriel. “Hey. Nothing wrong with experimenting.”

“If it works for humans, why not us? I kept pressing the areas…!” Uriel was bright red with fury and embarrassment. “Never again. Why did I even do that?”

“Hm. To sate your curiosity? I get news from the others.” Luci figured Uriel needed an outlet for the one field he couldn't research- anger. Pure emotion. I was like him once. So angry at everything yet my light would destroy. So I held it in until I was kicked out. And then the layers were concocted. At least here, he can make glass for vials.

Uriel caught fire. “So they do. They never tell me anything! They tell me it's not natural!” Uriel pulled on his hair. “Gr! I always wanted to know- how do humans make babies. I wanted to experience it myself. To know! Just to know! Do you know what it's like? To yearn? To know?! I wanted to know. Why?! I was born for science and…” Uriel threw a fireball and it exploded into the sand. “I just wanted to know! You wanna know what Raphael said to me?”

“Raph? Oh! Right. The turtle. Yeah, he's not nice is he?” Come on, bud. Get this anger out so you don't hurt the humans. Let it all out.

That was probably it. Uriel exploded into a fireball, six winged, many eyed, full on Biblical accuracy. “He thought I was turning into you! He thought I was you! He thought I was evil for wasting to study it! He even wondered how I got blood from a Throne! He volunteered and there was consent! I didn't take any blood! Why?! Why must it be so hard?! Just let me! Let me do what I was born to do! I want to do this! I want to help them! But in some other timeline, I was a living battery! They broke me! They broke my spirit! They broke everything about me! I became a broken broken angel and they still called me you! Michael even wiped our memories of you in that timeline and ascended to become a Seraphim! He left us alone too!”

Uriel flew forward and grabbed Luci by the lapels, who calmly stared back. Tears of lava streamed out from all over his body from his multiple eyes. “Why?! Why did you abandon Heaven?! Why did you abandon me?! You were the only one who believed in me! Now look at me! Look at me! They all see you in me! I want to roast them all! I'm not you! I will never be you! I just want to fulfill my purpose as an angel of God! He made me to be of science! They only focus on the fire!” 

The cries that followed after were heartbreaking to hear. Luci held Uriel as he broke down, fingers clawing for a hug, wailing, struggling to breathe. 

“Luci…! Why did you go away…? Why do they remember your evil one moment? You were good! You were good! Come back… be good again…” Uriel cried. He hugged tightly as the fire died and lava cooled. “Don't…! Don't let them hurt me again… just…! Don't…! Don't leave me…!”

Luci squeezed Uriel tightly. 

It took a long time for the cries to calm down. Uriel went back to his basic angel appearance of one wing set, a halo and white robes. He leaned on Luci, tired. Uriel looked up. “Why?”

“Why what?” He asked gently.

“Why did you… what's the term?” Uriel shook a fist. “Ragebait me?”

Luci rubbed a lock of his ashen black hair. “Not even Paradise Lost put this detail in. When I fell, I knew they would hurt you. Most of the angels would do anything to put down those who step out of line or even think about it. Uriel? I knew they would hurt you. Badly. You stood strong, but it hurt badly, no?”

Uriel nodded. “Every day. They find a reason to bully me. It hurts.”

“I know it hurts. But I also know that hurt will stick in you like an ugly virus. If you get mad at the wrong time, it can really, really hurt someone. I learned that shortly into my reign as evil. I was able to fix my mistake, but I can tell Sameal still thinks about it.” Luci looked at Uriel. “You are going to lead humans. They're fragile and are prone to killing themselves if they get too upset.”

“Is that why we're out here?”

Luci laughed gently. “No, you came out here to give yourself a hand job. But I followed because I worried I broke your innocence.” He looked down. “Maybe I did.”

“A little. But I still am confused.” Uriel rubbed his arm. “Why before all the projects?”

“Because, little Uriel? If you yell at someone? You could be doing a lot worse than burning glass. Centuries of anger, unleashed on a human?”

“I see your point.”

Luci rubbed Uriel's back. “How do you feel, champ?”

“Oddly, a lot better? Maybe yelling it out did help? Dunno.”

Luci hugged him. “I'm here for you now that you're on earth. I'll protect you. Gabriel, more likely, but I'll help.”

Uriel smiled and hugged back. “Thank you, Luciel. I missed you so much…”

“I missed ya too. Geez, you're dripping everywhere, Uriel, come on.” He playfully dabbed at the lava dripping out as Uriel laughed. “I missed these moments. After having kids of my own and seeing how humans interact, I can say with pride and certainty that I'm glad you're like a little brother to me.”

“Everyone babies me. But at least with you and Gabe… it feels genuine.”

“Yeah.” He looked down, though. “Hey. About why I turned… well, you were too young to know the details, but-”

Gabriel flew over and saw the mess of glass. “Uriel- oh whoa… oh my gosh. Uh… Luci, did you do something?”

“Mm, just helped a little one with emotions too big to handle alone.”

“Uriel is only a few days younger than you?” Gabriel pointed out.

Luci pretended to think about it. “Eh.”

Gabriel perched atop the glass like a bird. “Hey Uriel, the humans want you. Mainly for some online thing?”

Uriel flew off. 

Luci calmly got Uriel's biology notes. “Why didn't you or Michael stop what the others are saying about Uriel?” He asked, venom quite literally dripping.

“We really did try! We even brought them to Him! But nothing worked! Metatron's tactics don't work either!” Gabriel met the eyes of his former best friend. “We really tried.”

“You didn't try enough.” He melted into the ground.