Chapter 1: Renovations

The City of Guardians was deathly silent.

A small platform was erected in the center of the city. A small set of stairs was placed in front of it. A lone figure, standing on the stage, slowly raised his head. "There is a reason why I have assembled you all here today," the man said as he removed his white theater mask. He is Surno.

The entire audience surrounding the center kept their mouths shut. Whispers and idle chat were nonexistent. Surno let out an explosive sigh. "There has been a slaughtering of both our kinds. Nay, I should not refer to us as 'kinds' - instead, I shall call us one name. Angel. That is what we are, right? After the events of two weeks ago to this day, I believe we should abandon that title. We are not divine beings. We were. We are nothing but murderers with wings now." People began to shift around, uneasy with his words and his obvious change in character.

"Normally, you know me as a man of few words. I have changed. Just as we all should. The firstborn, Peter and Daniel, are gone. We have lost Peter's insight, strength, and spirit. We have lost Daniel's wisdom, ingenuity, and will. Albeit misguided, Daniel should still be remembered by us. We should remember him as the person he used to be - not the tyrant he had become. As for Peter, we must understand one thing. I speak to you words he has said unto me. 'Not all Soul Angels are reborn.' We must accept the fate that has fallen on our beloved friend."

Surno held out his hand, palm facing upward. A rose appeared in a shimmering cascade of silver. Its petals were as black as his wings. "This petals represent the innocent appearance of Daniel. The thorns are the strength of Peter. The stem is the unity between both. Let this analogy stretch out to us. We must cooperate if we are to keep our task." His voice was shaky. He let a few minutes pass as he recollected his breath. He twirled the rose slowly in between his index finger and his thumb. "Michael, please step forward."

The young angel pushed his way through the crowd until they finally parted a small pathway for him. He walked up to the pedestal with a confused expression on his face. Surno smiled down at him. He definitely has changed, Michael thought to himself.

Surno handed down the rose to him. Michael took it gingerly. "You were the one Peter predicted. You were the one to bring us together - nay, you are the one. You deserve this symbol of the firstborn." Somewhere in the audience, Tracy began to clap. The entire crowd caught on and soon the City of Guardians echoed with applause and cheering. Michael, still bewildered, stared blankly at Surno.

Surno slipped his theater mask back on. Michael could have sworn he saw a tear roll down his cheek before the white facade blocked his view.

---

Michael inspected the rose closely. The petals seemed to glisten whenever light shone on it, as if dew hung off of each petal. Michael sat on the platform, ignoring the bustling activity happening all over the city. Tracy approached him, followed closely by Greg. "What do we do now?" Michael asked without looking away from the rose. he mocked.

Greg shrugged. "All we have now is the City of Guardians. Everyone is catching up on lost time, seeing old friends, and mourning. In a day or two we will begin repairing the damage here." He stared down at the rose in Michael's hand. "If I recall correctly, that rose is alive and well as long as it is safe. Those without the power to predict disasters relied upon the rose to hint off any upcoming tragedy."

"Enjoy it now, Michael. It's about to wither soon." Tracy and Greg exchanged glances.

"Why? What's wrong?" Michael questioned. Tracy sat down next to Michael. His eyes looked for anyone within earshot.

"This might be confusing, so stay with me," Tracy said softly. "As Greg said to me awhile back, Soul Angels are reborn in an allotted time frame from their death. It is usually, from what I've been told, a week and a half after." Michael's eyes brightened up. He still remained silent, patiently waiting for an appropriate time to ask his questions.

Greg snickered. "He doesn't interrupt me after every sentence like you did, Tracy,"

Tracy kicked him in the shin playfully. "In a few days, our fallen brethren will be back here with us. Although this is a bit of good news for us, the bad news always ensues." He sighed heavily. "It is totally different when a Heart Angel passes on. There are similarities, though. For instance, the Heart Angel will be reborn. The time frame is the same as a Soul Angel's. What they are reborn as is the difference." The trio fell silent for a few moments.

"Are they reborn as a Soul Angel?" Michael asked.

Greg turned to face him. "I'm afraid not. I believe it is best to end this conversation - we don't want to remind everyone who knows what's going to happen at this moment. They all deserve some time to relax." Tracy nodded. Greg walked away with Tracy following after. Michael put his questions to rest as he became engrossed in examining the rose.