Chapter 8: Reciprocate
Adam had not seen outside for so long, a year perhaps, maybe longer. Since he returned from fighting Eve, the angels were unhappy with his decision and placed him in their prison to think about his behavior. Every day a different angel will come to ask: "Have you thought about what you did?"
He would always reply: "Yes brother, I have."
Today was no different; same question, different angel but this angel paused before leaving.
"Brother Adam," the angel said in a strong voice, "Why are you here?"
Adam felt his eyebrows lift as if to reach his hairline. He did not know? Did any of them?
"Why do you ask, Brother Gabriel?" He asked the angel who was the beloved and truest one out of them, from what he was told.
"You have been here for a long time," Gabriel explained, "What have you done to experience this fate?"
Adam stood and walked to him, "I had rushed into battle before receiving permission from Father. This is my punishment."
Gabriel did not say anything, but his stare told Adam that he could see straight through this angel form he currently held to the man he once was. The man who loved a woman who was the devil herself.
"You fought the demon named Eve," Gabriel hummed to himself as Adam nodded, "You are the one she is calling for."
Adam felt his heart jumped from hearing those words, and he struggled against the need to just show up in front of Eve and hold her. Gritting his teeth, he tried to unclench his hands, fisted as if opening them would destroy his very being.
"She is angry at Father because you are here," Gabriel mentioned opening the door and Adam walked through, "Do you wish to see her?"
"I do," Adam nodded slowly as he waited for Gabriel to say something, but he didn't. The angel just nodded and motioned his head for Adam to follow. Walking with him down the corridor of colorless walls and pillars, Adam finally saw light again. It burned the sleep from his skin and warmed him in a glow. Breathing out a sigh, he took in the sight of the flowers, the sound of laughter, and the feel of comfort.
As they continued to where Metatron stood watching him, the angle stared at them like a man observing an ant.
"Brother," Gabriel greeted in which Metatron nodded, "Father had asked that I speak with the demon."
"I see," he replied softly as his eyes moved to Adam, "... and you wish to bring him?"
Gabriel smiled and nodded.
"Very well," the scripter stated and touched the pond, "She is here."
The water waved and rippled to the edge before it slowly revealed the face of the demon.
She still looked so beautiful no matter how many days or years passed. Lips, seductive and plump, was moving as she spoke to a man who looked just as attractive. Adam watched the man laugh and the soft smile Eve gave in return.
He saw green; dipped in envy and jealousy as he witnessed what was supposed to be his.
'Mine!' The voice echoed in his mind repeatedly watching the smooth interaction between the woman and man.
A hand, warm and safe, touched his shoulder.
"Are you ready to go?" Gabriel asked him and he closed his eyes to breath in deeply.
Nodding, he followed the angel and left the sanctuary of heaven to the world below.
==
Eve headed to the lake where she would bathe in the clear water under the darkening skies. Her father had been visiting her often and though she knew her father always had ulterior motive, the socialization and distraction was welcomed.
Undressing, she stepped into the water and immersed herself in it. Dunking her head and swimming forward a few strokes, she turned to the shore and lifted her head out of the water. She threw her head back as her hair flipped creating the water trail forming a curve, before her dark hair settled in the water.
She opened her eyes as her hand smooth up her forehead over her head.
Angels stood at the shore watching her.
Both she recognized.
"Gabriel," Eve spoke up walking toward them, "I am surprised that you of all angels are here. Does he wish death upon you like Azrael?"
"Hello Eve," Gabriel smiled and she felt her lips curled up, "My apologies for ruining your bath."
"Here I thought you just wanted to see bare," Eve teased as she stayed in the water, "Did you get in trouble angel? I was expecting your return for some time."
Adam dared not say anything for fear that the truth of his heart would come out.
"I have a message from Father," Gabriel spoke up walking to the edge of the shore, "Will you listen?"
Adam watched as Eve's face dunk down until only her eyes were revealed: sharp, dangerous, powerful.
Then she stood and walked toward them out of the water. Water slid down her skin as each patch revealed itself making his throat go dry. Face flushed as her entire self was shown, and he forced his eyes away to look at the other angel.
Gabriel did not remove his eyes from her and Adam felt his hot blood boiled over. It reached fever pitched when Eve, deceitful and a liar, place her palm against the angel's face and leaned in.
Liar! Disgusting Wench! Liar! Liar!
He didn't realize his wings were spread out and flapping wildly like a bird learning how to fly, until Gabriel called out to him.
"Brother," his voice was solid and calm, "What is the matter?"
'Like you don't already know!' He wanted to shout, but Gabriel probably didn't know.
"Let us speak about what Father offers," he said instead as he calmed his mind and close his wings.
Eve was watching him with her lips slowly upturned into a sly smile as her chin dipped. Those eyes pierced him and he looked away hoping the hood continued to hide his true self.
"Eve," Gabriel looked at the female demon and those piercing eyes moved to its next victim, "He apologizes for not telling you he had his soul and caused the death of his angels."
Eve reached out and Adam thought for a moment she was reaching for him, but an outfit materialized on her body like a second skin. No longer her blood stained and torn dress, she now wore a long red one with a slit on both sides. It hugged her body the way he wished he could and that thought made him flush harder.
He mustn't look at her.
"He gave the option to him when he arrived at His doors," Gabriel continued and Eve crossed her arms, "Adam refused rebirth."
Eve could feel her heart in her throat and her blood freezing cold.
'Adam did not want to… but why?' She wondered as her chest tightened and her nose twitched.
"He chose to be an angel, Eve. He will not return," Gabriel stated and Eve wanted to shred him up like tissue papers, but she couldn't move. This was painful, even more so when he died.
"However," the messenger continued and Eve blinked down the inevitable tears she felt against her eyes, "He would have a chance to change his mind if he wished to."
Eve closed her eyes and sighed like there was nothing more to do than play this game.
"What does your father want me to do?" She asked turning her back to them as she looked out to the lake, sparkling with the star's reflections.
"To let the humans and animals live, I assume," a voice spoke up with laughter.
Adam looked to the sound with a hand on his sword, ready if the situation calls for it. He could feel the air around him flash before the chill fell against his skin. The man with his slow lazy walk and confident look was unnerving. He recognized the man as the one Eve was speaking with earlier.
Envy wrapped itself around him as anger pounded his head.
Pulling out his sword, he held it tight and rushed forward to attack the attractive man. Before he was able to make contact, he was pushed back by a force as strong as a car. Skidding to a stop, he let out a growl as he fell to one knee.
"Hm, what an angry angel he is," the man laughed eating the last bit of his snack.
"Brother," Gabriel stepped before him as he felt his heart beating wildly, "You should return home."
"No," Eve spoke up and he glanced to see her near him, "Stay, won't you?"
His heart slowed and a calming peace came over him like when resting in the mountains.
Her hand reached out for him.
He reached back.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone