Akting Out

Michael sprinted towards his tall, muscular assailant. His attacker took a step back, raising his hands to be level with his chest in anticipation. Just before Michael leapt, he realized that his assailant must be experienced.

Releasing an angry scream, Michael threw himself into the air, twisting his body and thrusting his right heel toward his attacker’s head. The tall Angel pivoted, moving behind Michael and avoiding the kick. Michael felt the collar of his shirt close around his neck, violently yanking him from the air. Michael was then hurled to the ground. Thunder and lightning screamed in his head, and Michael was dazed, unable to move.

Azrael was next; as the tall Angel turned away from Michael, Azrael came within striking distance. He attacked with a reverse punch that the Angel blocked at his midsection. Azrael followed through with his attack, spinning and bringing the back of his fist towards the tall Angel’s ribs. The Angel grabbed Azrael’s arm and fired a punch into Azrael’s ribs. The force of the blow lifted Azrael off the ground; the Angel hoisted Azrael overhead and threw him to the ground.

The thunder receded; Michael placed his hands at the sides of his head and sprung to his feet. He remained in a crouching position, swinging his right leg towards the Angel’s in an attempt to sweep. At the last second, the Angel saw him coming and jumped, allowing Michael’s sweep to pass beneath him. As he landed, he fired a right cross into Michael’s chin. Michael felt like his head was exploding as he fell back to the ground. I don’t think I’ve ever been hit this hard…

Azrael was on his feet. He took a quick hop towards the Angel and thrust a spearhand for his throat. The Angel sidestepped, taking hold of Azrael’s arm and wrapping an enormous arm around the former Thanatonian’s neck.

As the tall Angel tightened his chokehold, Azrael’s feet were lifted from the ground. The Angel pinned Azrael’s arm at his back and was choking him; Azrael had no escape. His head still ringing, Michael got to his feet and charged the Angel. With both of his arms occupied, the Angel had no defense; Michael was able to slip in a drive a reverse punch home into the Angel’s ribs. The Angel was more surprised than hurt, but it was enough to loosen his grasp; Azrael fell to the ground. He immediately sent his elbow back into the Angel’s ribs, and this time the grunt was in pain. As the Angel doubled over, Azrael fired an uppercut cleanly into the Angel’s chin, forcing him back up. Azrael crouched as Michael approached, spun, and sent the heel of his foot into the Angel’s chest. The Angel coughed as he was knocked onto his back.

The Angel’s eyes were blood red as he braced himself on his elbows. He glared at Michael and Azrael as they stood side by side, fists raised.

“Why did you attack us?” Azrael asked as he tried to catch his breath.

“Why did you set me up?” The Angel retorted, equally winded.

“Set you up?” Michael repeated incredulously. “We don’t even know who the hell you are.”

The Angel got to his feet, and both Michael and Azrael dashed backwards. “My name is Uriel Saint Morias,” he answered menacingly. “And I’m going to kill you both.” Azrael’s mouth fell open as he recognized the name; he knew who they were fighting.

Michael had no idea what was going on, he was just sick of being attacked. He took a moment to survey the scene, his eyes darting across the landscape of the ruined city. He recognized Anders, who was surrounded by what Michael assumed were the Beal City survivors. Anders looked terrified and enthralled as he watched the fight unfold. When this was done, Michael had some questions for the boy. He also recognized His Royal Highness, Yang, looking on stoically as the fight continued. To Yang’s right was Odin, Ruler of Asgard, and the power within Odin was almost oppressive, like an ever-present wind. Another Angel with long blond hair and tattered, regal clothing, was also present. Michael didn’t recognize him, but it looked as though the Angel had been through Hell. The last Angel was dressed in the same clothing he and Azrael were dressed in, and for some reason, this Angel was looking directly at him. There was a Valkryie on the scene as well; Michael didn’t recognize her, but she, like all the other Valkryies, was gorgeous.

“Michael Saint Ambrose,” Uriel spoke coldly, forcing Michael’s attention back to the moment. Uriel smiled chillingly, and Michael braced for another attack. Instead, Uriel only said, “Like father like son, eh?” Michael scowled. “You took those children away from their parents,” Uriel continued. “When this is done, maybe I’ll take your mother away from you…and we can finally be rid of your lineage.”

The anger that washed over Michael was almost palpable. “YOU WILL NOT TOUCH MY MOTHER!” Michael bellowed, charging yet again. Michael closed the distance within a few steps; he threw his leg toward Uriel’s head as he spun, attempting a roundhouse kick. Uriel swayed, avoiding it. Michael followed through with a hooking reverse punch towards Uriel’s stomach. Uriel crossed his arms in front of his stomach, barely blocking the attack. Michael continued to turn, raising his left leg and shooting it behind him in a high wheelkick aimed at Uriel’s head. Again, Uriel swayed, and as he came back, he shot a jab into Michael’s exposed face, following through with an uppercut that sent Michael flying through the air. As Azrael moved in, Uriel didn’t notice Michael land on his hands and immediately jump to his feet…

Azrael’s attack came furiously, a combination of spearhands, backfists, jabs, reverses, and crosses that seemed to strike everywhere at once. Uriel was forced to retreat, but he kept up with Azrael’s ferocity, repelling each attack. When Uriel attempted a reverse punch, Azrael crouched and intercepted the Angel’s arm. He immediately fired four reverse punches at lightning speed into Uriel’s midsection and completed the attack with a penetrating spearhand that went between two of Uriel’s ribs. Hearing Michael’s approach, Azrael immediately sidestepped. Michael roared as he leapt, spun, and connected a spinning roundhouse kick with Uriel’s jaw. Before landing, Michael completed the spin and nearly shattered Uriel’s jaw with a hook kick. Uriel stumbled, dazed. Michael took two more steps, stomping his foot into Uriel’s chest and springing into a back flip kick that caught Uriel cleanly in the jaw.

“That’s enough,” said a deep voice.

Before Michael and Azrael could renew their attack on Uriel, all three were sent hurtling through the air by a concussive, explosive white light. Time slowed to a crawl. They crashed blindly into the ground, and the light was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Uriel growled to himself as he looked up. I’m sick of the Seraphim.

Michael sat up; it was the Angel who had been staring at him that had suddenly thrown himself into their midst. He now stood at the center of all three of them. “My name is Cutler,” he said warmly, with no hint of deception. “I lead the Seraphim Order.” He turned to Michael and Azrael. “And I know you two aren’t under my command.”

“You have no idea what goes on with your order,” Uriel seethed, slowly rising behind Cutler. Everyone at the scene held their breath, wondering if Uriel would attack Cutler outright. Instead, Uriel glowered at him as he spoke, “Your Order enabled the murder of forty-seven children by allowing Yin’s demons passage into our land. Are you going to stand there and tell me that you had no idea?”

Cutler exhaled as though conceding and then approached Uriel slowly, yet fearlessly. “Uriel,” Cutler began respectfully, “I understand you’ve been through a lot—seen a lot. And I’d be interested in hearing what you had to say. If any in my Order have gone rogue, then they must be dealt with.”

He paused before continuing, “But I still have to hold you until your actions can be explained.”

Things were eerily silent as Uriel and Cutler faced off. Finally, Cutler turned away, nodding towards Yang. As his Highness stepped forward, everyone on the scene, including Michael, Azrael, and Uriel, took a knee. “I understand you’ve all been through much,” Yang began. Amazingly, he wasn’t speaking in a very loud tone of voice, but his voice carried across Beal City. “And I thank all of you for your sacrifice. Those of you who have survived what has happened here will be granted asylum in Asgard and Olympus.”

Michael stole a quick glance to Anders, who raised his head as if to say something, and then reconsidered. Anders and Azrael exchanged odd looks, and then lowered their heads. Michael frowned. What the hell had gone on?

Michael momentarily flashed back to his own recent experiences, which now seemed like a jumble of random images dropped into his mind. He had seen images of a bloody war, waged by beings that looked like him, but weren’t nearly as powerful. Then he was awake…and Azrael, the one who had sent him into the darkness, was present. He and Azrael had then fought this…Uriel…Angel together. Michael grew dizzy. It was too much to process all at once.

“We expect Yin to mount an offensive against Yevon within the next day,” Yang announced, and a melancholy murmur passed through the group. “Her target will be the Nexus Caverns where our Father sleeps. We are ready to prevent this–” Yang’s eyes darted across Raphael, Azrael, Uriel, and Michael, “—but we must get you all to Asgard now.”

Yang looked to Odin and nodded. “Everyone, gather around!” Odin’s voice boomed.

There were dark looks exchanged between the would-be Archangels as they rose, moving to surround Odin. As Odin chanted silently, the winds picked up around them as though a storm was brewing. The sound of a baritone chorus seemed to emanate from the ground beneath them as a golden light rose and slowly spun at everyone’s feet. The wind became a gale force. Michael clasped his sweater around his body as he once again looked at Anders. The boy was surveying Beal City sadly, and Michael understood the boy’s pain; he would never see his city again.

As they all disappeared, Michael prayed that his mother was still safe, and he swore to return to her when all this was over.

(c) Avery K. Tingle for Akting Out LLC

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