© Anna-Karin 2000-2001
The birds fly in through the broken windows, some fly directly to attack the two angels still standing. They let go of Kenneth, and he falls to the floor in a crumpled heap. Other angels take the time to turn into humanoid form. Anna-Karin holds the angel's arm in a firm lock, and watches as the other two angels try to defend themsleves against the wave of birds and humans.
Anna-Karin: Don't kill them.
The members of Gabriel's army soon has the messengers from the Boss lying face down on the floor. Anna-Karin still holds one of the angels in a locking technique, that is obviously rather painful. The angel yelps.
Anna-Karin: That was for Kenneth.
Gabriel enter the room, followed by the rest of the troop, and survey the scene. He turns to an angel who looks like a heavy metal fan.
Gabriel: How's Kenneth?
The angel: Badly beaten, and internal dammage because of it. No brain damage, not that those three didn't try. Would take a night to heal him and then two days of rest, complete rest.
Gabriel: Okay. Get to it Morgel. Where is Ankael and Jurel?
Morgel: Over there.
Morgel points to two bodies lying in the furthest corner.
Gabriel: Completeley dead?
Morgel: Hearts removed. Yes, they are completeley dead.
Gabriel: This means you are the only healer left now. I suggest you take one or two appentices, to fill the void left by Ankael and Jurel.
Morgel: Yes sir.
Gabriel: Have them taken outside for a proper fire. I'll perform the ceremony.
Now Gabriel notices that Anna-Karin is still holding one of the angels.
Anna-Karin: Can anyone take over for me? I'm beginning to get the cramps here.
Gabriel: How can you hold him? He is the strongest of them three.
Anna-Karin: Easy.
Gabriel: Who helped you?
Morgel: She did it on her own. We saw it. She made him attack her and then he was defeated. It happened so fast. And then we took care of the two others.
Anna-Karin: Somebody relieve me here.
A couple of angels walk over to continue holding down the angel. Anna-Karin rises, stretches her back and rubs her arms to make the muscles relax a bit.
Morgel and a trio of other angels are treating Kenneth now. He moans a little. Sometimes he mumbles something, or sobs, or laughs. The angels move their hands, healing, mending the man's wounds both on the outside as well as on the inside.
Anna-Karin: Who were those three morons?
Gabriel: The three finest in the Boss' army. The ones always sent out on missions like this.
Anna-Karin: How did they find us?
Gabriel: They must have noticed when I called my troops. I hade to send out a message with my signature on it, and the must have traced it here. Otherwise I have covered my trails well.
Anna-Karin: What will you do with them now?
Gabriel: Kill them of course.
Anna-Karin looks at Gabriel. Killing somebody? Why? But she already knows the answer. They are the enemy. Enemies are for killing. No matter what she thinks about that, no matter what she might try to do, this is a war, and if she didn't understand that before, well... she does now.
This is a minor battle in a war that's been going on for a very long time. And she and Kenneth are right in the middle of it.
Anna-Karin: I see. Will you have them burned too?
Gabriel: Yes. That's the proper thing to do after all. What was that you did? To take him down like that. You are not very strong.
Anna-Karin: It's called aikido. It's a martial arts form I've been practising for nearley a year now. But I didn't do the technique correctly.
Morgel walks over to them. He smiles a little.
Morgel: It worked, didn't it.
Anna-Karin: But it wasn't perfect.
Morgel: Gabriel, Kenneth's asking for you.
Anna-Karin: How is he?
Morgel: He is fine, but a bit chocked.
The archangel walks over to where Kenneth lies. He kneels down next to the man, who is less in pain now than a few minutes ago.
Kenneth: Hello Gabriel.
Gabriel: Hello Kenneth. How are you?
Kenneth: Numb, tired.
Gabriel: Did you want me something?
Kenneth: Yeah.
Gabriel: What do you want?
Kenneth: Stay. Stay here. For a while. Till I sleep.
Gabriel: You want me to stay with you till you sleep?
Kenneth: Yeah. Please.
Gabriel: Okay.
Gabriel sits down on the floor next to Kenneth with his back to the wall. A few moments later Kenneth lie down with his head in Gabriels knee. Gabriel looks a bit uncomfortable at first but then relaxes and begins to softly run his hand over Kenneth's hair.
It's very quiet in the industry lot. Anna-Karin and the angels move about as silently as they can, while the Boss' messengers are gagged in order not to disturb the silence.
Anna-Karin: Isn't it ironic?
Morgel: What is?
Anna-Karin: The fact that Gabriel who, according to what you've just told me, hates humans, is busy comforting Kenneth, who is a human, right now.
Morgel: He doesn't hate humans. Only the fact that they have souls. And angels don't.