“Lucifer! Lucifer! Lucifer!”

The younger brunette turned to the elder, confusion clear on his face. “Nii-chan, why are they calling you that?”

“It’s the name our Holy Father gave me. It’s the highest privilege an angel could get.” His brother gave him a brilliant smile. If that wasn’t blinding enough, the Holy Light bouncing off of his glasses sure were. “Someday, when you grow into a strong archangel, he’ll give you one too.”

“Hmm… But I think I’m okay.”

“Eh?”

He beamed up at him. “I like being Eiji! Just like how I like nii-chan as Eiichi!”

His brother slowly nodded. “... I see. Don’t worry, I’ll always be your older brother.”

~~~~~

Back then, he didn’t realize how his brother hesitated with that answer. Perhaps if he had noticed sooner…

No.

“...chael…”

Nothing could change the past.

“...Michael…”

There’s no use dwelling on it.

“Eiji!”

“Ah!” He jumped out of his seat. His wings flapped a bit too hard, and it sent the stool and table flying, while he was several feet in the air. Looking down, he spotted a familiar pink haired angel, his feathers in a mess. “Na- I-I mean, Gabriel! Sorry about that!” He floated back down and started trying to straighten them back.

The shorter boy stepped back, pushing his hands off. “Stop that! I can do it myself!”

“Ahaha… Sorry…” He waited until he was neat and tidy again before asking, “Did you need something from me?”

Gabriel nodded. “The Holy Father summoned us. Most likely, it has to do with Satan sneaking into the tower last night and declaring war.”

His lips fell to a frown. “A-Are you sure it was him?”

“Ask Uriel.”

That shut him right up. Uriel is known as the sharpest sighted spirit in all of Heaven. He watches over the Holy Garden and he is the one The Holy Father entrusted to guarding it. But if that’s so, how did Satan get in?

Seeing the question in his eyes, Gabriel spoke up again. “Satan deceived him by disguising himself as another angel reporting from the Human Realm.”

Ah… That makes sense. Not even Uriel would be able to see through the Devil’s tricks. Only God and His Son have the ability to without missing a beat. This is because Satan used to be an archangel, just like them… but much, much stronger.

With that thought in mind, he and the pink haired boy ascended to meet their Father.

~~~~~

When he had stepped out of the tower, he had the largest smile on his face. The first person he flew off to meet was of course, his brother.

“Nii-san! Nii-san!” His wings stopped as soon as he came face to face with the elder brunette. “The Holy Father gave me a name too! Michael! Now, we both have archangel names!”

“I’m proud of you, Eiji.” He ruffled his hair that he spent so long tidying up to look presentable in front of the Lord. Then he realized what he said. “Ah… I hope you won’t mind if I keep calling you that.”

The new archangel beamed up at him. “Of course not! I may be Michael in front of our Father, but I’ll always be Eiji to everyone!”

His brother let out a deep chuckle. “How I wish I could be just like you…”

“Eh?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Come now.” He grabbed hold of his arm and started pulling him up to the sky. “Let’s tell all our friends!”

~~~~~

They were preparing in the council room. Seven seats surrounded a single round table. Only four were taken.

“Na-” He hesitated. This was an official meeting between the four archangels of the realm. He should be calling them all by their bestowed names, and yet… He was given a nod, indicating he’s allowed to call him by his original name. “Nagi, how are the guards?”

“They’re all ready.” The pink haired boy gave a thumbs up. “Just waiting for your command.”

A black haired man stood up and bowed. “My apologies… If I had been… more vigilant that night…”

The brunette smiled. “Don’t worry about it, Kira. Whether he was here or not that night wouldn’t change the fact that we’re going to have to fight them.” He turned to the white haired boy laying his head on the table next to him, seemingly asleep. “Shion, are you going to be alright?”

Slowly, he opened his eyes. “I am Raphael, the Archangel of Healing… I will do what I can to help those in need.”

“Don’t push yourself, Shion.”

This time, he fully sat up with a smile. “Nagi’s warmth would give me plenty of energy… As long as he’s near, I will be fine.”

“I’m not letting you hug me in the middle of a fight! You’re heavy!”

“Nagi, you won’t be at the front.”

Grey eyes widened. “What?! Why not?!” Seeing the brunette pressing his lips together made his blood boil further. “Eiji! Why can’t I be at the front?! Just because I’m the youngest here, doesn’t mean-!”

“Nagi, you’re the brains of our army.” He reasoned, his tone as soft as possible. “If anything happened to you too soon after the start of the battle, we wouldn’t know how to carry on.”

“Well, that’s…” The boy hummed in thought before nodding. “Alright, fine. I am the genius here, after all. I’ll...” He caught sight of hopeful lavender eyes and sighed. “... I’ll stay with Shion.”

The white haired boy immediately wrapped him in a hug, ignoring his very loud protests. “Don’t worry, Eiji. I’ll take good care of him.”

He nodded. “Alright. You two will stay within the gates and tend to the wounded. Dismiss.”

The second he said so, Nagi broke free of Shion’s grasp and flew back to his quarters at full speed. Shion bowed before following at a slightly slower pace. Now, only two remain.

Eiji sat back down, letting out a much heavier sigh than before. Kira, sensing his distress, walked over and patted his back. “That was… the right call.”

“You really think so?” Seeing the raven haired boy nod gave him a bit more comfort. “Thanks, Kira. I just… They’re both so young... I don’t want them getting too involved in this... Actually, if I could help it, I don’t want them involved at all…”

“I understand… If they were... at the front... they’d have to fight... them...”

“To be fair, none of us wants to.. But we don’t have a choice, do we?” Taking in a deep breath, he finally meets his friend’s gaze. “I’m sorry...”

“Hm?”

“If I had more confidence in myself, I wouldn’t need to drag you into battle with me. I don’t want to admit it, but if you won’t be there, I think I’d give in before I could even pick up the sword…”

“...”

“What I’m trying to say is… Thank you, Kira. Thank you for staying by my side this whole time.”

He gave him a small smile. “It’s my duty… to take care of you… for now, and forever… You don’t need to… thank me...”

“As always, you’re really kind.” The brunette gave a nod. “Alright. I think we should both start preparing now. This meeting is dismissed.” But before he could fly off, his friend called him back.

“Eiji.” The black haired boy’s smile had widened. “You’ve grown up... to be just like him...”