As Above so Below and Somewhere in Between

“Dear Natalia, I am visiting America this year just like last year and the year before that and the year before that but this time I’m staying and if you’ll take me I’d like to stay with you, signed with love, Barbra.”

Barbiel sighs, puts the letter in the envelope, burns it and blows the ashes away, sending it to Natalia. She looks out of her window for the last time, looks at her room and everything in it.

“Goodbye, Heaven. You were a lovely home but I’m afraid that my soul belongs somewhere else now.”

Barbiel grabs her luggage and heads out of her bedroom.

“Hello Archangel Zaphkiel,” she says as he walks by.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Barbiel tenses up a bit but nothing out of the ordinary.

“My yearly visit to Earth, Archangel Zaphkiel. Why?”

Zaphkiel giggles a bit before saying, “Oh, didn’t you hear you aren’t going to Earth anymore?”

Barbiel drops her luggage in shock as her jaw drops and eyes open wide “What?! B-But I’m supposed to go down to Earth to bless all the Scorpios and such. Who will take care of them now?”

Zaphkiel shakes his hands in such a way as if he was showing the question away.

“Oh, don’t worry about that, angel Barbiel. We outsource that thing nowadays. Now you don’t have to deal with the hassle of doing whatever it is you do before you leave…”

Barbiel looks worried. Trying to think of a reason to still go to Earth, she says this: “Well, I'd rather do it myself, never let a cherub do an angel's job! Or something…”

Zaphkiel smiles and tilts his head almost as if he were talking to a child.

“Are you questioning my orders, God's orders?”

Barbiel panics. She’d never question the will of God, she loves God!

“No, no, no, no, no, Archangel Zaphkiel, I’d never question the will of God!”

Barbiel sat on the ground bowing to Zaphkiel, like he was her God. And in many ways, he was. Zaphkiel smiles, motioning for Barbiel to get up.

“Good. So, where are you going this year?”

Barbiel looks down, trying to hide her tears.

“Nowhere. I belong in Heaven. I need Heaven, and Heaven needs me.”

Zaphkiel walks over to Barbiel and grabs her shoulders, taking her to the balcony. He points outside, showing Barbiel all the beauty of Heaven.

“Good. I mean, who would want to leave this behind? It’s perfect. Earth is nothing like Heaven. I don’t even know why you like it there so much.”

Barbiel could think of a few reasons but decided to keep them to herself. Instead, she thought of continuingly questioning the ‘will of God’. Barbiel takes a big breath to prepare herself.

“Just wondering– why can’t I visit Earth anymore? Not like I’m questioning the will of God or anything, just um… inquiring?”

Zaphkiel sighs, putting his fingers on the bridge of his nose.

“Angel Barbiel, do you truly think you could ever understand the will of God?”

Barbiel, completely obvious to the threatening nature of which Zaphkiel was talking, replied, “Well, didn’t some Archangels have a say in the decision?”

Zaphkiel looked baffled, as though Barbiel had said something shocking.

“Are you asking to have an audience with the Archangels?” Zaphkiel dead serious in his tone.

“Well… yes, I suppose I am.”

Zaphkiel scoffed at the idea.

‘A lower ranked angel asking to have a meeting with the Archangels? Absurd!’ he thought.

“But may I?” Barbiel asked, snapping Zaphkiel out of his train of thought.

“Oh of course!” Zaphkiel said.

Barbiel, not realizing the sarcastic tone, jumped up in excitement and hugged Zaphkiel. Shocked, he pushed her off. Barbiel was too happy to care.

“A million thanks yous Archangel Zaphkiel!”

Barbiel ran off to her room writing a note to Natalia explaining that she will be slightly late this year but will make up for that ten fold!

“Dear Natalia, my flight has been delayed again, the wait is agonizing but it turns bittersweet once I remember who I’m waiting for, you my love, I cannot wait to hold you in arms again, to feel your warm embrace, Yours Truly, Barbra.” Barbiel runs out of bed, puts her hair in a bun, quickly puts on a robe and slides into her sandals and runs down the hall into the Archangels' courtroom. “Hello Supreme Angels, it is Barb-... Why is no one here?” Little did Barbiel know no one in their right mind would wake up at 2:00 AM to go to a meeting. Barbiel sat there for 10 hours to ensure she wouldn’t be late, the Archangel Gabriel flew into the room with Cassiel and Jophiel just behind him. Barbiel bowed “Hello Supreme Archangel Gabriel, Archangel Jophiel, and Archangel Cassiel, I am infinitely honored to be in your presence.” “What are you doing here angel Barbiel?” said Cassiel “Oh um I thought that Archangel Zaphkiel told everyone that I was going to have a meeting with you all?” Barbiel started to grow nervous “No I wasn’t aware of this ‘meeting?’” said Jophiel. Zaphkiel flew in “I am so sorry Supreme Archangel Gabriel I must have forgotten” Zaphkiel bows to Gabriel “No apology needed Zaphkiel.” said Jophiel and Cassiel in unison but in Gabriel's voice, you see Gabriel couldn’t really talk he was just a floating eye, did he have to be? No not really, but he enjoyed it. So instead of him talking with his mouth he talks though Cassiel and Jophiel, make sense? No? Good! “So what’s this about wanting to go back to Earth?” said ‘Gabriel’ as more angels began to flood the room. “Oh right yes okay. So Supreme Archangel Gabriel, I angel Barbiel, angel of October, angel of Scorpio! And since I am the angel of Scorpio, I need to go down each October and bless and grant the wishes of all the Scorpios” said Barbiel “No” said ‘Gabriel’ “B-but” “NO” said ‘Gabriel’ “It is just to dangerous for you Barbiel, you must understand that we are just doing this for you!” said Zaphkiel “But what if someone were to protect me?” pleaded Barbiel “Does anyone want to assist Barbiel?” The room that was once filled with whispers now goes completely silent. “No? Alright then so sorry Barbie but looks like the answer is still NO” said ‘Gabriel’ ‘My name is not Barbie! It is Barbiel occasionally Barbra but never Barbie!’ thought Barbiel “Didn’t we have a demonic rehabilitation program back in the 1600s?” said Anauel, he flew down next to Barbiel “Yes, yes we did!” said Barbiel excitedly “Are you seriously suggesting we bring those disgusting sinners, those fallen angels?!” said Zaphkiel “Yes!” said Barbiel and Anauel with a determined look on their faces “What demon would be idiotic enough to try that?!” the camera whooshes down to Andras’ bedroom. Andras and her wolf are sleeping in her bed when Mastema runs in “LORD ANDRAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HEAVEN!” Andras’ wolf begins to drag her out of bed as Mastema helps keep Andras from falling over “When did you fall asleep Lord?” Andras groans “11:00” Mastema seems shocked but in a good way. “Oh that’s better than I thought!” “You didn’t let me finish, 11:00 am.” “Oh…” the wolf, whose name was Raven, groaned annoyingly as if she was tired of Andras’ shitty sleep schedule too. “What’s the holy announcement anyway?” said Andras “It’s about the angel Barbiel, she wants to visit Earth but the powers at be won’t let her. It’s just sad really…” Mastema picks up two outfits “So what are we thinking today, warlord or ball gown?” Andras puts her chin on her hand and thinks. “Well I want to make a good impression on the new fallen so warlord obviously!” Mastema bows “Of course my lord” Andras steps into the closet and walks out with leather and chainmail armor covering her from her shoulders to her feet. “What do we think!?” Mastema claps and Raven tries to. “Alright Lord, the message said that we need to go to the 1st ring, shall we go on horseback or- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Andras scoops Mastema up and flies out the window. “We’re taking the fastest route of course!” said Andras. Mastema is screaming, crying, and holding on to Andras for dear life. “My lord, I don't think I like this!!!” Andras peels Mastema off her, “Mastema we stopped flying 2 minutes ago…” Mastema brushes herself off “Right of course” the camera whooses up to Barbiel’s bedroom. “Is the bubble really necessary?” Barbiel said slightly muffled, in order for Heaven to ‘protect’ her they put her in a golden bubble to stop the demons from touching her. “Don’t you want to visit Earth Barbiel?” said Zaphkiel, Barbiel sighed “Yes…” “So then the bubble stays.” declared Zaphkiel. The camera whooses down to Andras again “So what she’d do?” Andras said “What do you mean Lord?” Mastema said, Andras sighs “You know, to fall!” Mastema looks confused “She’s not a fallen my lord, she’s here to look for a guard! I told you this before you scooped me up and flew here!” Mastema says annoyed “Oh…” Andras said embarrassed “A guard you say?” said Andras “Yes a guard.” Mastema said “Perfect!” said Andras, “What do you mean?” Mastema said, “I could be the guard.” Andras declared “My lord let’s be reasonable, you are incharge of 30 legions of demons, you are a marquis of Hell. What would I do without you?” Andras thought for a moment “Well I supposed you’d have my job.” Mastema blinks, then she blinks again, and then one more time for good measure. Then she begins to squeal, “EEEEEEE!! Well if you see no other choice then I suppose you must.” said Mastema. As Barbiel began to float down still in her bubble of course, Zaphkiel followed but to much of Barbiel’s surprise no bubble. Mastema raises her hand and says “Hello, yes down here!” Barbiel floated over “Hello yes and what might you be?” Zaphkiel said as he rudely flew in front of Barbiel, in order to protect her of course. “Oh um, I’m Mastema and this is my lord Andras!” said Mastema, Andras just stood there staring at Barbiel, she didn’t realize that angels could be as beautiful as that. “My lord are you alright?” says Mastema in a concerned tone, Zaphkiel snaps in Andras’ face “WHAT? Oh yes I’m fine. What did you say your name was again?” Andras walks past Zaphkiel just to get a better look at Barbiel, “Oh I’m Barbiel, your Androos right?”, Andras snickers “It’s Andras actually, but that was pretty close.” Andras says lovingly “Do you think I could be your guard? I mean if you’ll have me?” Andras says while reaching out her hand to Barbiel. “Oh my gosh, really?!” Barbiel hugs and picks up Andras surprisingly easily. Andras’ blushing inteses. “Uh yeah really.” Andras is starting to freeze up again, Barbiel lets go of Andras, this obviously breaks the already cracking bubble, Zaphkiel quickly flies back and begins to yell at Andras “You will pay for that you freak!” Barbiel steps between Zaphkiel and Andras “Wait Archangel Zaphkiel she didn’t mean to, I picked her up it’s my fault the bubble broke!” Barbiel pleads with Zaphkiel. Zaphkiel for an unknown reason doesn’t believe in Barbiel “Oh Barbiel I think we both know that you couldn’t pick anyone up even if you tried!” Zaphkiel says laughing “It’s sweet that you defend the freak but she’s evil! She doesn’t need defending, she needs reform, discipline, and punishment.” Andras just stands there jaw dropped, she had never heard anyone talk to her like that! She is a marquis of Hell, she was in charge of 30 legions of demons, she was anything but a freak! “Excuse me Mister Zackiel!-” “It’s Zaphkiel!” “Whatever, I don't care! You don’t talk to me or anyone else for that matter like that! You bratty little piece of shit!” Zaphkiel just stood there with a blank expression on his face, he snapped his fingers and three angels held Andras down “So is this the demon you want, Barbiel?” Barbiel looks terrified “Yes… but uh-” Zaphkiel claps “Alright then it’s settled, you will accompany Barbiel on her journey to Earth, and if she doesn’t return by the end of October then you will be erased from the Book of Life, you wouldn’t just die you would have never existed.” says Zaphkiel. Barbiel stands there and thinks ‘What’s more important, whether or not I live on Earth or whether or not Andras exists? Now that is a question, a question I do not want to answer now’. Zaphkiel clears his throat “Have I made myself clear, Andrake?” says Zaphkiel “Yes…” Andras begrudgingly says “Yes what?” Andras spits “Yes sir…” Zaphkiel looks delighted “Good now we shall make the preparations so you and Barbiel can leave tomorrow!”. Barbiel couldn’t help but look pleased, I mean she didn’t want anything to happen to Andras but she was a demon she must have done something bad so she deserved this, right? Plus whatever it takes to live with Natalia! Zaphkiel snaps his fingers again and the angels holding Andras down pick her up and fly her to Heaven. The next day Barbiel wakes up at 7:30, finally a normal time, gets dressed in her best human clothes, she grabs her luggage and heads toward the teleportation pad where Andras is also standing but Andras doesn’t look anything like she did yesterday. “So uh, what happened to your well, everything?” Andras doesn’t respond, she just stares, she doesn’t exactly know what happened either. All she remembers is being woken up in the middle of the night and her body being ripped apart, her feathers pulled, her eyes yanked out, her legs and wings burned off and replaced with human limbs. “Oh you know stuff…” Zaphkiel walks up to the pair “So you ready to go?” and before Barbiel could respond the pad glows and they both fall through. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HHHHHHHHHHHH!! WHAT’S HAPPENING!?!?” Screams Barbiel “I think we got the economy flight.” says Andras calmly “You have wings don’t you? Just fly.” says Andras. “Oh right!” says Barbiel as her golden wings pop out ‘wow’ Andras thinks. “Hey why don’t you just use your wings instead of free falling?” Andras looks to her sides before she starts to scream “Ohshitohshitohshit!”. Barbiel looked worried “What’s wrong?” Barbiel starts to reach out to Andras but Andras’ arms are flailing every which way “Those bastards ripped out my wings!” Barbiel looks shocked “They, they did what?” Barbiel finally manages to grab Andras “They took away my wings…” Andras cries for the first time in 6000 years, she didn’t realize she still could. Andras touches her face and feels the tears on her hands. Due to the blood rushing to her head after falling for 10 minutes she passes out in Barbiel’s arms. Andras wakes up in Natalia’s trailer , Andras starts to panic “Barbiel where are we?” Andras whispers, Barbiel walks to the back of the trailer and whispers back “Listen when we are around Natalia you call me Barbara, okay?” Andras looks confused “What why?” “Beca-” Natalia looks back at Barbiel “Hey your friend awake yet?” Barbiel smiles “Oh yes she’s fine, still just a little shaken up from the flight!” Barbiel reasures Natalia and then quickly turns her head back to Andras “Because she doesn’t know that I’m angel and I’d like to keep it that way okay?” Andras begrudgingly agrees “Where are we?” Andras looks around, she’d never seen a human trailer before. “We are on Earth in Natalia’s trailer.” Andras rushes over to the window, forces it open and sticks her head out of it. “Wow! Last time I saw the Earth was 4.56 billion years ago! It looks great!” Natalia giggles not realizing that Andras was being serious “Wait whose Natalia?” says Andras “Oh she’s my girlfriend” says Barbiel. “Wait what?”