Interlude

Consciousness had graced Michael with its presence. He awoke to find himself in a familiar place. The grass bent underneath his weight as he sat up slowly. The angel brushed his hand on the grass. Michael was in the meadow. The sky above him was devoid of the eerie purple mist. He lay back down and took a deep breath.

Memories of what had happened before his blackout seeped into his mind. A sigh escaped his lips. "I guess this is the end. The real end."

He heard grass crunch under heavy footfalls. "No. It is not. Arise, Peacemaker. Fulfill your destiny."

Michael stood up as quickly as he could, recognizing the friendly voice. It had a hint of mischief in its tone that mingled with authority. Michael was speechless as he examined the man before him.

Peter chuckled. "Welcome, Michael. This is not the place for you. You must go back immediately." Peter marched up to him and set his hand on his shoulder. "How did you get here?" He pinched his cheek, then touched his hand.

"I remember being killed, Peter. Is this where we go when we die?" Peter mumbled something to himself. "What was that?" Michael asked.

Peter stepped back and sighed. "You are not dead, Michael. Well, not in the way that I am." He chuckled again. "You are stronger than I thought. Whoever attacked you did a great deal of damage - but not enough. You are still hanging by a thread! We have to get you back there, now. If all went as I predicted, then the city is in turmoil right now."

Michael tensed. "You knew something like this would happen? Why didn't you tell anyone!?" Peter sighed.

"This is no time for questions, child. Keep your wits about you now and do not lose your temper. Now tell me what attacked you."

Michael calmed down. "A being made of dark purple energy hurt me." Peter nodded.

"That thing that assaulted you was a reborn Heart Angel, Michael. In that form, Daniel and I labeled them as Markers. When the first Heart Angel was slain by accident, he came back to us as one of those beings you described." Peter shut his eyes tight, struggling to bring back memories. "The first Marker gave us a message. He told us this:

'A time will come when humanity will end and the angels will be destroyed. A single word will echo throughout the desolate world left behind: Marker.

This is their time, Michael. That is why I am sending you back. Away with you!" Peter slapped Michael across the face.

Nothing happened, and Michael winced. "What was that for!?" Peter whispered quietly to himself.

"Oh, my apologies! Wrong hand." He slapped Michael with the opposite hand. Michael wavered - his vision began to darken. "Marker! Stop the Markers! You're our only hope!" Michael fell unconscious as he struck the ground.