text: Sophia stared at the Archangel Uriel, one of the four Angels that served directly beneath Metatron. Uriel, Archangel of the Malakim, and murderer of Juanita. She didn't understand what was happening. Why had he ordered Juanita to murder Bill? Why had he ordered the woman to kill her husband?
  
  Why had he cut her down?
  
  For her treachery. He was the head of the Malakim. They were the messengers of Heaven and they took their oaths seriously. When Juanita broke her oath with the Archangel, she unleashed enough power to fully manifest the Archangel.
  
  And he had cut her down to punish her treachery.
  
  That was it. Uriel must have feared that Bill was aiding Adriel and he didn't want to take the chance. Love mankind, but not one man. Mariel's words echoed in her mind. Sophia found it so hard to separate her love for her champion from the greater duty of protecting all of mankind. Uriel was an Archangel. He saw the broader canvas.
  
  That had to be what had happened. He was an Archangel. He would never do anything wrong.
  
  "We have to stop Adriel!" she shouted to Uriel, rushing towards him.
  
  His sword moved, blocking her, threatening her with its howling edge. His face was implacable and his diamond eyes hard. "Your task is done, Seraph. You guided Bill in his powers and insured he reached here. You have saved the World."
  
  "But Adriel is going for the Gatewardens. If she kills them, the Gates of Hell will open and Darkness will spill into the world!"
  
  "Yes."
  
  "But... how is that saving the World?"
  
  "The Humans have long been plagued by their own petty hungers. They kill, they destroy, they consume with no regards for how their selfish actions will affect themselves, their loved ones and neighbors, and the world. They need guidance."
  
  "And how will unleashing Hell give them that?" Sophia demanded, righteous anger boiling inside her.
  
  "What happens when the Gates of Hell are opened?"
  
  She frowned. "The Pearly Gates are..." Sophia gasped and stared in horror at the Archangel. "You would unleash Armageddon to enslave mankind?"
  
  "Not enslave," Uriel grimaced. "Guide. Once the Demons are defeated, we will shepherd the humans that survive."
  
  "No!" she raged. "That is monstrous. Metatron would never countenance this."
  
  "Are you rebelling against Heaven? This is the will of the Archangels. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and myself. We have all agreed on this course."
  
  Love mankind, but not one man. Mankind didn't deserve this. Juanita didn't deserve this. It was not the Angels' job to rule Mankind.
  
  "I haven't agreed!" she roared, her sword burning brighter. "I will not let you destroy the World. The humans deserve better than the horrors you will let Adriel unleash on them! Heaven is better than this!"
  
  She rebelled and swung her sword at the Archangel.