Identity Revealed

Ethan slowly awakened to the gentle urgency in Gabe's voice, the heavenly glow in his friend's eyes filled with concern. "Ethan, can you hear me?" Gabe softly asked, his hand resting reassuringly on Ethan's shoulder.

Ethan opened his eyes slowly, his vision blurred momentarily as he adjusted to the soft glow in their dorm room. "What happened?" he murmured, quickly glancing at the notifications. His eyes widened slightly at the details. Despite the recent chaos, a thrill of satisfaction surged through him as he noticed the completion of Tim's healing assignment. The next task, however, drew his attention sharply:

Assignment: Teach Jimmy Dorsey a lesson (Reward: 100 XP)

Ethan's jaw tightened in determination. Alongside the exhilaration of achieving Archangel Level 2, he felt surprisingly empowered and confident about facing Jimmy again.

Congratulations! You have reached Archangel Level 2. New Abilities Unlocked:

Increased Strength Enhanced Flight Improved Healing and Celestial Energy Control

System Notification: Assignment Completed: Heal Timothy Crane: Completed (Reward: 50 XP)

Congratulations! You've leveled up. 225 of 1000 XP Current Status: Archangel Level 2

Tim, sitting at the edge of his bed, stared at Ethan with wide, awestruck eyes, his previously severe injuries now inexplicably healed. Gabe smiled gently, relief evident on his face. "You healed him," he whispered, pride resonating in his voice.

"We healed him," Ethan corrected weakly, still dazed.

"But…how?" Tim, unable to contain his astonishment any longer, interjected urgently, "Seriously, what just happened?"

Gabe inhaled deeply, his gaze briefly flickering toward Ethan. "There's a lot to explain," he said steadily. "But Ethan needs rest first."

Ethan nodded weakly, fatigue overcoming him as Gabe gently guided him to his bed, carefully tucking him in. "Sleep," Gabe said softly. "We'll talk when you wake up." Ethan mumbled something indistinct as he drifted swiftly back into sleep.

Turning to Tim, Gabe's expression became serious yet gentle. "I know you have questions," he began calmly, "and we'll answer them. But right now, I need your help. Can you keep what happened here secret, just for now?"

Tim nodded eagerly, eyes still wide with amazement. "Yes, absolutely. I won't tell anyone."

Gabe smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Tim. It means more than you know."

Tim hesitated briefly, curiosity overtaking caution. His eyes drifted again to Ethan. "Why all the secrecy? Why can't you let anyone know?"

Gabe sat beside Tim, looking directly into his eyes, his expression sincere yet intense. "Because Ethan and I aren't ordinary recruits. We have a specific mission here—one that requires complete secrecy."

Intrigued, Tim leaned closer. "A mission? What kind of mission?"

Taking a slow breath, Gabe's eyes glowed gently, reflecting the profound truth he was about to share. "Ethan and I are angels," he revealed quietly yet clearly. "We're here on an other worldly mission—to deliver an important message and help usher in a better life for humanity. No one can know who we truly are."

Tim's jaw dropped, his voice trembling with disbelief and awe. "Angels? Like…real angels? I thought they were just stories, myths from the Bible."

Gabe shook his head solemnly. "We're very real, Tim. And right now, we need you more than ever to help protect our identities."

Tim absorbed the revelation, his mind racing with excitement and uncertainty. "What do you need me to do?" he asked resolutely.

"Just keep our secret," Gabe said gently but firmly. "Don't tell anyone—especially Steph and the girls. Can we count on you?"

Tim's eyes shone with determination, his voice steady. "I promise. You have my word."

Gabe smiled warmly, relief and gratitude evident in his expression. "Thank you, Tim. Your support means everything to us—and to our mission."

Gabe climbed slowly into the top bunk, utterly exhausted. Millennia had passed since he last inhabited an Earthly form for long periods, and he'd almost forgotten how draining physical fatigue could be. Yet, despite the mundane routines—showering, eating, using the bathroom, and all the trivial human tasks—he felt exhilarated by the novelty of it all. He was cautiously optimistic about Tim keeping their secret. Gabe chuckled softly to himself, amused by Ethan's complete obliviousness to the subtle glances and attention he drew—particularly from Tim, who was clearly captivated.

Tim, still infused with residual celestial energy, rose from his bed and stepped into the bathroom. Standing beneath the steaming hot shower, he let the water cascade over him, washing away dirt, dried blood, and the trauma of the day. As the memories of pain and fear receded, replaced by a lingering sense of divine euphoria, Tim felt transformed, almost reborn.

He reached for the soap, scrubbing thoroughly from head to toe, each movement cleansing away the day's hardships. Stepping out of the shower, Tim glanced into the foggy mirror and wiped it clean, staring in disbelief at his reflection. His skin was smooth, unblemished, free from the scars and imperfections he'd carried since childhood. Even the persistent redness of his cheeks had vanished, leaving him with a flawless, youthful appearance.

"Still tall and scrawny," he murmured quietly, a shy smile playing at his lips. Though he'd never thought of himself as particularly attractive, Tim now noticed subtle details—the thickness of his hair, the elegant structure of his cheekbones, and the newfound clarity in his eyes.

Pulling on a pair of boxers, he returned quietly to bed, lying awake as he watched Ethan sleep peacefully. Tim felt an inexplicable yet profound connection to Ethan, recalling vividly the overwhelming sensation of pure, etherial love that had flowed through him. To his surprise, as he closed his eyes, sleep claimed him gently, wrapping him in a comforting embrace of tranquility.

The next morning, Ethan and Gabe woke to the persistent buzzing of their TapWatches, signaling the beginning of another rigorous day at EarthCorp. With muscles still aching from the previous day's intense training, they rose and headed toward the bathroom to prepare for the challenges ahead. Gabe brushed his teeth as Ethan showered on the other side of the wall and got dressed. 

Tim, who had spent much of the night awake contemplating recent events, joined them with newfound confidence radiating from his eyes. "Good morning," he greeted, his voice calm yet determined. "Ready for another day?"

Ethan and Gabe exchanged amused glances. "Absolutely," Gabe replied, his eyes twinkling playfully. As the group finished getting ready, they headed towards the door. Suddenly, remembering Tim's healed injuries, Gabe called out urgently, "Tim, put that cast back on! You're supposed to have a broken arm!" He chuckled softly and stepped out the door.

Walking together to the mess hall, Tim felt a growing sense of camaraderie and pride. Knowing Ethan and Gabe's secret had become both a heavy responsibility and an incredible privilege. He vowed silently to protect their identities at all costs.

At breakfast, they joined Steph, Eliza, and Kelly, who immediately noticed Tim's noticeably improved appearance. "You look...better," Steph remarked suspiciously. "What happened?"

Tim blushed lightly but maintained composure, smiling confidently. "Just got a really good night's sleep," he replied smoothly. "I feel completely renewed."

Steph raised an eyebrow skeptically but decided not to press further, although curiosity lingered clearly in her expression.

After breakfast, Ethan, Gabe, and Tim followed their TapWatches toward the marksman building, navigating the vast complex as they walked together, their conversation focused discreetly on the extraordinary events of the previous night. Ethan and Gabe shared more details with Tim, carefully keeping the explanations vague enough to manage the delicate balance between truth and secrecy.

Throughout their conversation, Tim frequently glanced at Ethan, captivated. Ethan caught Tim's admiring gaze from the corner of his eye, causing his cheeks to flush warmly—a reaction that Gabe noticed with silent amusement.

The trio arrived at the marksman facility a few minutes early, joining a diverse group of recruits each carrying their unique backgrounds and experiences. The instructor, a stern-faced man named Sergeant Miller, wasted no time diving into the day's lesson.

"Today we'll focus on marksmanship," Sergeant Miller announced firmly. "You'll train with standard-issue firearms and advanced laser weaponry."

Ethan, Gabe, and Tim listened attentively as Sergeant Miller outlined strict safety protocols and demonstrated proper weapon handling. They paired up to practice, eyes sharply focused and steady as they aimed carefully at their targets. As the session progressed, excitement rippled through the recruits when Sergeant Miller introduced the advanced laser weapons—sleek, futuristic devices that drew fascinated stares.

"These weapons pack serious power," Sergeant Miller cautioned sternly. "One careless mistake could be catastrophic. Stay focused."

Ethan and Gabe effortlessly hit their targets, their celestial vision allowing them unmatched precision from impressive distances. Tim, determined to match his friends' accuracy, concentrated deeply, holding his hands steady but missing most of his marks comically. Sergeant Miller softened his typically stern demeanor as the class concluded.

"Impressive work today," he acknowledged warmly. "You're a sharp bunch. Keep it up."

Afterwards, Ethan, Gabe, and Tim headed toward the mess hall, meeting the girls as they exited their science session. Engaged in friendly banter and conversation, Ethan suddenly felt his stomach tighten as he spotted Jimmy leaving the academics building. Anger surged through him, a vivid memory of Tim lying injured and helpless flooding his mind. "Soon," Ethan thought resolutely, his expression darkening briefly. He'd ensure Jimmy faced consequences for his actions.

Seated at their regular mess hall table, the group chatted casually when Nurse Robin suddenly approached, her face filled with astonishment as she saw Tim.

"Timothy! How on earth do you look like that today? When you weren't in your dorm this morning, I assumed you'd been transferred to the hospital overnight!" she exclaimed, clearly confused.

The boys shared a panicked glance. Gabe quickly stepped in with a composed response, "It wasn't as severe as it looked initially. Ethan and I cleaned him up, gave him a shower, and used ice packs to reduce swelling."

Tim, catching on quickly, blushed and raised his right arm in a cast. "See? My arm's still broken," he added, trying to sound convincing.

Ethan smiled reassuringly at Nurse Robin. "Yeah, I even helped him with some makeup this morning to cover the bruises. That's why his skin looks so perfect."

Nurse Robin shook her head slightly, still skeptical but seemingly accepting their explanation for now. "Alright, Tim," she cautioned gently, "but please, be careful with that arm."

Tim nodded obediently, exhaling in relief as she moved on. The group exchanged knowing looks, silently acknowledging how close they'd come to exposing their secret.