Troublesome Brothers

Raphael found Michael lying on the roof of the Power's headquarters again. Raphael knew he was up there to avoid being around his brother. They have had a bad relationship since they were young, but it was only made worse by Michael's inferiority complex. To avoid unnecessary arguments, Raphael took care not to upset his friend by not bringing Lucifer up in conversation. However, today Raphael was going to set off this ticking time bomb. He had come to ask Michael about his brother's recent activities, and there was no safe way to do it.

"Hey Michael, have you eaten anything?" he asked.

Michael lazily looked at Raphael with one eye open, "No, why do you ask?"

"Well, I'm a bit hungry. Why don't you accompany me today?"

"Hmph, no thank you… why don't you ask one of those women you are always with?"

"Aww don't be jealous."

Michael bolted up, "Like hell I am!"

"Then you will come?"

"Fine!"

Great, thought Raphael. Now I just need to get him a safe distance away from here to talk to him. With this in mind, Raphael suggested going over to his condo. Luckily, Michael agreed and they headed over.

The condo was situated a ways away from other buildings on the edge of a lake. If Michael was going to lose it, there would be less collateral damage. Raphael gathered himself and then posed the dangerous question.

"Michael, I got this report earlier today. I need to verify something, so I need to ask you… Has Lucifer been acting unusual of late?"

Michael stiffened, "What about HIM?"

"Has he done anything suspicious… or rather, more suspicious than usual?"

"What am I!?! My brother's keeper!" screamed Michael.

Raphael could feel it in the air around him; Michael's aura just intensified, and Raphael might be in for a fight.

"That serpent has probably sneaking around spreading his poison like usual! He goes about spouting flattery and deceiving you all, and you ask me if he's doing anything suspicious!"

Fire erupted forming a ring around the two of them as Michael continued to fume. Raphael acted quickly and summoned his element to suffocate the flames. He wrapped his arms about Michael and used a bit of his healing power to render him unconscious. Raphael looked down on his sleeping friend, "Well, I can't really ask you, but I can't trust anyone else within the ranks of the Powers. I might never find out the truth to that report."

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Raphael turned in his seat to watch the clouds passing in the window. Things had been too quiet of late. When the report had been released, Raphael had expected there to be a little fuss about it, but nothing had ensued. He had expected either the Thrones to complain about wasting their time investigating rumors or the Powers to get flustered for having their loyalties questioned. Nothing had happened and it made him restless. Something was going to have to give, and he was waiting for it.

However, Raphael did notice a change in his deputy, Belial. There were more individuals braving Belial's tricky temperament and visiting him in his quarters. Those who were going all seemed to be fanatics that were utterly devoted to serving Belial. This didn't surprise Raphael very much though, since he knew that Belial cleverly manipulated and used people to get his job done. The increase in lackeys unsettled Raphael because it didn't seem like there was any change in the amount of work being done for the Virtues; meaning that these new lackeys must not be helping Belial with his workload. Which left the question of what are they doing for Belial?

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The knock resounded through the room. Uriel without looking up called out, "It's open. Come In."

"Why thank you!"

Uriel groaned, "Not you again." He set down his book and looked up, "What do you want, Raphael?"

"I'd like you to use your position."

"Meaning?"

"That report you sent me a few weeks ago is bugging me. That and that my deputy seems to be getting popular of late, but his work isn't making much progress."

Uriel's eyes narrowed.

"You want another investigation?"

"Yes and no," replied Raphael.

"It would help put me to ease if someone could be appointed to keep an eye on Belial."

Uriel massaged his temples. He could feel the oncoming headache. He really didn't want to deal with another investigation, but he trusted Raphael's hunches.

"Alright, I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks. I'll be on my way."

Raphael excused himself and left. Uriel pulled down a list from the nearby shelf and scanned over the names on it. He would have to find someone brave enough to face the lion's den, and smart enough to hide in plain sight. The only thing he could do short of a full investigation is appoint someone to spy and report on Belial's movements.