The title means "Day of Wrath" in Latin, it's about Quatre, an angry angel, Trowa and Heero are the magicians sent to stop him.
The song at the end is the translated version of "Open Your Mind" from Saiyuki and the sermon Quatre quotes from is "Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God" (yes, it's an actual sermon. I heard it made the women in the congregation pass out.)
"They say that an angel has descended from heaven to destroy the world," said Heero to the magician looking in the mirror, wiping the strange symbols he'd written in make-up on his face for a particular spell.
"I'll assume he wasn't ordered to do so by the gods."
"That's correct."
"I see... I suppose I have been given the assignment of turning aside the angel's wrath."
"Yes."
The magician closed his eyes and leaned against his bookshelf. "Don't you find it strange that I, who have seen countless wars and examples of humanity at its basest, am called to save the world? I've fought in countless battles and taken as many lives."
"That's what the mission from heaven is," said Heero. "If you prefer not to, I will go in your place."
"No, this will require my skills though I will need you to back me up in case I fail," said Trowa to his best pupil. "What is the name of the angel?"
"Quatre."
Trowa narrowed his eyes. "Quatre?"
"You know him?"
"I knew him from a long time ago. He was not the type to do something like this. I wonder what happened to him since last I saw him."
"It doesn't matter. He has to be stopped, killed if necessary. You know that I'm right."
"... "
"Again, if you don't want the assignment, I can go by myself."
"No, I can do the job. I'm not one to turn down a job no matter how dangerous," said Trowa.
Fifteen years prior
Trowa watched as a cherry blossom petal fell into his glass of wine. Cherry trees were always in bloom in heaven. He wasn't surprised that time was very easy to lose track of while here. He had once thought he had been gone a month and a year had passed by on earth. At the time it didn't matter because there had been nobody waiting for him and no assignment he had to finish. Then he narrowed his eyes. Somebody's watching me, he thought. He whispered a spell of revelation.
He heard a gasp of surprise and turned to see a blond youth dressed in white with a sword sheathed on his hip. "Are you my guardian angel, watching over me so I don't become drunk?" he said before finishing his glass and throwing it over his shoulder. The glass disappeared before it hit the cobblestone.
The angel laughed out of embarrassment. "I'm sorry, but I was very curious what kind of human was allowed inside the gates while still alive, especially at this level. At least I know you are a very high level magician."
Trowa shrugged. "I've just had a very long time to practice, that is all."
"My name is Quatre, by the way. I'm an angel, lowest rank. I am a New Type."
Trowa raised an eyebrow. He had heard rumors that a New Type of angel had been created. Most angels were created to fit a certain rank and stayed in that rank for eternity. However, this New Type had the potential to grow and develop into higher forms, combining the power and purity of angels and the flexibility and mutability of humans. However, they were more closely watched by the others due to that quality of unpredictability. "I am Trowa Barton, master magician, swordsman and on occasion, juggler and wine connoisseur. You keep staring at me. Am I so amusing to look at?"
"You remind me of my mentor, the archangel Winner."
"In what sense?"
"It's the hair, really. But your face is much different."
"In what sense?"
"It's much more beautiful," said Quatre.
"I think the word you should use is handsome," said Trowa, smiling. This is the first time an angel has ever flirted with me. The New Types are quite different. "Handsome is the word to use for men."
Quatre laughed. "I'm sorry, I have much to learn. Would you mind walking with me and telling me about Earth? I'm about to go down to the earth and be among them in a few days. I think I'll enjoy my time there if the people I see are anything like you."
Present
"Heero."
Heero didn't bother to look up, but kept sharpening his sword. "We should hurry up and get the weapons ready. I don't think we have much time. I can wait for my lesson after this mission."
"Heero, I have no more lessons for you. You are a magician in your own right, have been for the past year. I've taught you everything that I can teach you. You're my equal, maybe more. You're not my disciple any more. Any increase in your powers will have to come from time and experience. You can do whatever you want. You don't have to come on this mission if you don't want to."
"This is what I want to do."
"Fight?"
"No, work alongside you for the rest of my life," said Heero, pausing in his sharpening and looking at the green eyes staring at him.
"You know how harsh and lonely my life is."
"That's why you need someone."
"There's that princess who could give you all the... "
"I'm just her latest infatuation. I don't love her." The unsaid implication was clear in those prussian eyes. Heero set aside his sword and stood up. "The day you found me... if you hadn't taken me home, I would have surely bled to death from my wounds. I'm not saying this out of simple gratitude, Trowa. If you had patched me up then had me work off my debt, I would have done so without complaint, but I would have left the minute I was finished. No, I say this because the day I was well enough to leave, you were ready to let me go despite taking care of me for a month. When I told you that I had nowhere to go, you opened your house to me and showed me what it was like to have a home. You showed me a million and half things that I never imagined, this world of magic."
Heero continued. "When you found me, I was a man who lived from day to day without really thinking about the future. I put everything in the moment, not really thinking or caring about whether I'd live the next day or not. I feel as if you freed me from all that. I feel as if I have something to live for. That's why no matter how dangerous or how hard your path, I've decided that I will be there for you."
"Heero... I don't know what to say."
"How about thank you?"
Trowa laughed.
Fifteen years ago
"Please come in, Trowa Barton," said the archangel Winner.
"What may I owe the pleasure of this summoning?" said Trowa, bowing.
"Please don't bow. I am not a seraphim or a cherubim or any of the higher orders," he said. "I see that you've met my disciple Quatre."
"Yes."
"What is your impression of him?"
"I find him intriguing. I like him. He seems terribly excited about coming to Earth." He noted with amusement that he had a similar haircut to the angel.
"I'm against him descending to Earth. I don't think he's ready. But it appears that I've been overruled. I can't help but worry about him."
"You're fond of him, aren't you?" said Trowa.
"As an angel, I'm fond of everyone."
"But especially Quatre."
The angel smiled. "Yes. That's why I'm worried. He has such great potential but... "
"But... "
"So did Lucifer." The archangel turned to him and said, "Trowa, there's something I want to ask of you... "
Present
"Heero?"
"Yes?"
"Before we head out, we're going to need more information."
"You want me to contact an angel."
"Yes, but not just any angel, however... "
"You want someone with high level information, not just an archangel but a throne or a virtue perhaps... "
"I need you to contact Zeroth." Trowa saw the involuntary shudder that ran through Heero. "I'm sorry I shouldn't... "
"It's all right. However, I can't guarantee he'll come." Zeroth was a cherubim level angel whose presence was almost too overwhelming to channel even for a master magician but usually had good information that nobody else could or would give. However, a high level angel like that couldn't be forced to come, only asked. Heero quickly drew a magic circle with gold paint and recited the spell for the angel to communicate through him.
A few seconds later, it was like the sun had exploded in the room.
"Trowa Barton," said Zeroth, the image of his true form hidden by a veil.
Trowa closed his eyes from the brilliance of the angel's form. Despite the fact that it was using a veil to prevent him from being blinded or harmed, the angel lit up the room with such a brilliance that Trowa had to cast a darkness spell to make being in the same room bearable.
"Cherubim Zeroth, I apologize for contacting you."
"I would not be here if it were impermissible or if I didn't feel the need to talk to you," said the angel.
"I ask for information dealing with my current mission. What has caused Quatre to do this?"
Zeroth's voice was like a chorus of the finest castrati. "Quatre was sent to Earth fifteen years ago. Winner was sent to watch over his progress. As expected, Quatre grew in power. However as his power grew, so did his doubts and his despair. He asked his mentor over and over again what his worth was, what anything was worth. He wanted answers that Winner couldn't give him. They were overseeing a part of the world that was racked with war, death, plague, oppression, and cruelty. He wondered how God could love such a base and vile creature as man. Everyday, he looked into the hearts of man and saw only an unending darkness that delighted in the suffering of others. I've read Winner's reports about his disciple, they brought me great sadness."
"However, the incident that has triggered all this only happened a week ago. A city on Earth was besieged by demons. The demons demanded the life of one of its citizens inside as the price of peace. That citizen was Winner in disguise but the demons must've known who he truly was. The citizens handed him right over without a second thought. In order to save them, he did not fight back."
"Was he killed?"
"No, there was a prisoner exchange. However, he was horribly injured trying to flee. He is in heaven but he is to be sealed until the day of Judgement in a state of dreamless sleep until the end of the world. Such is the state of his wounds."
"And why is it that I have been ordered to confront Quatre? Wouldn't this be better left to another angel?"
"Please reread the mission statement. The answer is there," said the cherubim. Then Trowa was plunged into darkness as the angel disappeared.
Fifteen Years ago
"He said that I shouldn't go down to Earth, didn't he?" said Quatre as he handed Trowa a glass of wine.
"He said something along those lines," admitted Trowa. "I think that's why your departure has been postponed these past few months. Not that I mind terribly, it's made my stay more enjoyable."
"I, too, have enjoyed talking to you." Then Quatre sighed. "I wish that he could see how much I want to do this. My one wish is to prove how wrong he is."
"Well, it appears he was overruled and that you will be allowed to go down after all."
"I know. I want to make him proud of me."
"I see."
"Perhaps we will meet again on Earth."
"I would like that."
Present
The two soldiers stood on the highest tower in the city that was responsible for Quatre's anger.
"Trowa, would you make me a promise?" said Heero
"Yes, Heero."
"If it comes down to killing him, will you?"
"I fully intend to defend myself. I am not interested in suicide."
"You're not answering the question!" said Heero, glaring at him.
Trowa smiled at him. "Heero... I plan to fulfill my mission by any means possible."
"Then why the hesitation?"
"I made a promise. I don't make promises lightly. I made a promise to Archangel Winner that if ever something were to happen to him that I would do all I can to help Quatre."
"You shouldn't have made such a promise!"
"Unfortunately, the angel I promised is in no position to allow me to take back that promise. Besides, Quatre was a friend of mine. Also, remember what Zeroth said. He said to reread the mission statement. It was to turn aside the wrath of the angel, not to kill him. I can only guess that I was chosen because he knew about the promise I made to Winner."
Heero shook his head. "Trowa... "
"But I will make you a promise, Heero. After this, you and I... " Trowa turned and looked up at the sky. "He's here."
A large blast of fire came from the heavens only to be swallowed by a circle of water elementals that Trowa and Heero had called upon to protect the city.
The angel came in lower then saw the two men on the highest tower.
"Trowa, what are you doing here? I don't want to kill you... please leave the city."
"This isn't like you, Quatre. What you're doing, it's wrong."
"You know what happened, don't you?"
Trowa nodded. "I heard what happened."
Tears fell down Quatre's face but he didn't seem to notice. "Tell me, Trowa, why is it wrong to kill humans?"
"What?"
Heero readied his sword and his spear. "Trowa, he's mad, it's no use," Heero hissed in his ear.
"I finally figured out what is in God's heart, Trowa. This is how he truly feels about people." Quatre began to intone. "God holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours."
"Trowa... " said Heero.
This is worse than I thought, Trowa thought, pressing his lips into a thin tight line. "I know... I know. We have to lead him away from the city."
"Leave it to me." Heero threw his spear, nearly hitting the angel's wing, then flew into the sky, yelling, "If you want to get me, then you better follow!"
The angel followed him.
"Heero!" Trowa rose into the air after them. Heero and Quatre were streaking across the sky, creating sonic booms and eruptions of fire that terrified the populace below them. The closer he got the more clearly he could see the cuts and bruises on his partner. He realized that Quatre would eventually kill Heero. Quatre's gotten much stronger since the last time I saw him. It's no use. I have to... Trowa thought. He cast a spell that threw Heero far away and flew to take his place.
After repelling an attack, he finally cast a spell that would use his soul like the flame of a candle uses a wick. It was a spell designed to destroy all shadows and illusions of the soul with a light that rivaled that of Zeroth.
"Trowa ... " The sword lowered then finally pointed straight down. His wings only moved to keep himself aloft.
At last, he thought. "Quatre... You're angry because you're disappointed in humanity. You're not the only one who cries, Quatre. I'm a soldier so I see the worst that people can do. They steal, lie, kill, rape; torture; some even prey on their own family. I, too, get tired of seeing the same thing happen over and over again these past centuries. But, Quatre, that's why people keep praying and working for something better. Because I'm a human, too, I keep working for something better even though I question whether anything I do is making a difference. But there's no other choice but to endure despite all the pain and terror. All the things that you've seen and felt, it's been very hard to bear and the sad thing is that the nicer you are... the more it hurts. It's a struggle that not only takes place between demons and angels but within everyone's heart. The only true victory is keeping the pain from consuming your heart until there's nothing left... Quatre, I want to see the person I met fifteen years ago ... "
The spell had taken the last of his strength, the glow disappeared, and he began to plummet. It looks like my own struggle has come to an end, he thought. As he fell towards the Earth, he remembered a song his sister used to sing from time to time a long, long time ago:
Even when it seems that nothing can go right
and you want to just give up,
if you close your eyes,
you can see the world from your heart.
In this world when life can be so tough
You must be strong
Just believe in yourself and don't you fear
So open up your mind and close your eyes
Take another look from the other side
Even on a lonely night, when you wander afraid,
you may be alone now, but
your feet can take you however far you want to go, so
Just hold on tight, because if you close your eyes,
look inside yourself, there's a shining light there.
Yes, I want you to believe in everything.
You can take another look from the other side
Just hold on tight, even if your heart is breaking.
Reach into your soul, even if you can't see tomorrow.
Yes, if you have the strength to live,
You can take another look from the other side,
until you meet with all that is love...
I wish for you to have the strength
to make it through this world,
so if only you'd open the door to your heart,
you'd be able to see...
Just remember you are not alone
So don't you fear
Even though you're miles away
I'm by your side
So open up your mind and close your eyes
I'll be there for you no matter where you are
The stars may live for a long time, but
it's not because the same days repeat over and over forever.
No one can see into tomorrow.
Just hold on tight, because if you close your eyes,
look inside yourself, you'll feel a heartbeat.
Yes, I want you to believe in the future.
You can take another look from the other side.
Just hold on tight, even if your heart is breaking.
Reach into your soul, even if you can't see tomorrow.
Yes, there's another world out there.
You can take another look from the other side,
and you'll be able to meet with all that is love...
The End
(:./mk/irae)
