_ _ r a _ _ i m

_ _ r a _ _ i m.

“now this beast must be the ugliest of them all! look at the poor cloak that’s fallen victim to cover the small of its body. how laughable, you must so badly want to die, dont you?” broad wings flap rapidly before coming to a halt. on two legs, the angel boasts his chest out and widens his stance—a shameless display, indeed—not a single swatch of shawl used to cover his privates!

the so-called beast murmured softly, an auditory cue to leave it alone. however, such a subtle sound wont make the angel retreat. it is his job to be there after all. with crossed arms, unsightly toes and heels as smooth as sandpaper, the angel kicked the beast. it shuffled in place but ultimately stayed put. the angel laughed again—heartily—as if this moment were the most fun he has ever had in his centuries of immortality.

“oh loathsome beast, persist no further. let this be a one and done! i get my job done, and you will finally meet with sweet death—the one you crave for the most. show your beastly heart for me to pierce through! rest assured, my blade is as sharp as shooting stars tearing through the night sky. you wont even know you died.”

the beast finally showed face. its eyes stared at the angel with a gaze that could pierce through a thousand souls. the angel was petrified. but the beast’s face was not wicked or distasteful—no—not even deformed in the slightest! “please leave me alone lest you experience my wrath,” it whispered, no undertone of warning whatsoever. the angel had never seen a beast that was not deformed, even more so a beast that didnt grumble when it spoke! its voice—soft as silk… and although balding in some parts, its hair remained smooth and tame. what could this be, the angel thought, hellspawn, or one of my kind? 

the angel fluttered its wings. no! he mustn't get distracted. a beast is a beast, whether or not its beautiful. 

“you reek of sin,” the beast spoke, “your kind disgusts me. you are born into privilege that you do not deserve. meanwhile, we are evil for simply living. now you only listen to me because im beautiful. does this make sense to you? is it fair?” 

the angel scoffed. “i unfortunately dont make the rules—and do not talk to me like that!” the angel finally unsheathed his sword. it burned mercilessly with a thousand flames. “must i remind you your life is in my hands?!”

not a flinch, not even the slightest shuffle came from the beast. with eyes closed it sighed deeply. “you dont make the rules, but my life is in your hands? open your ears, winged beast—you have control over what happens right here and right now.”

“shush yourself!”

“if you truly wanted me to shush myself, you would have done so already. why dont we have a chat since you aren’t ready to kill me yet? what say you?” the beast sits up, posture straight and legs crossed atop each other, much like how an angel would sit. was this a test from the almighty? that must be it—the angel was being tested! but he cant help but sit a while longer just to hear what this beast has to say.

with much hardship, the angel sat.

with both of them sitting in this position, it looked almost as if the angel were the beast and the beast were the angel. wings were positioned tall, but his back was oh so hunched. not only that—but the skin so dry it peels at the edges of his body. the cherry on top? he reeked of sun and sweat.

the beast, on the other hand, stood tall and still, with shoulders squared and hands resting on its lap. “what do you call yourself?” it asked, voice carrying the wind itself as it sways the angels hair ever so slightly. “i am the archangel seraph,” the angel replied boisterously and unfashionably. such a quiet space surrounds them, there isnt at all a need to yell. not only that—but the sword he wields—the crackles of fire interrupts the stillness in the air!

“so which one are you? an archangel or a seraph?” the beast tilted its head slightly, confused.

“i am an archangel named seraph.”

a chuckle from the beast, “looks like you didnt make it.”

this angered the angel once more. “thats it!” he yelled as he got up from his sitting position, “show your breast to me! you will die right now!” the beast did not flinch. instead, it opened its cloak to show its breast. “pierce my heart then. do it. i was doomed to die in your hands. such a thing as life was never possible for me. no matter how much i did in my years of living—and you dont even have a clue as to what good or bad ive done—i still would have died. it was worth a try talking to you.”

itching his head, he thrusted his sword threateningly. “if you stopped taunting me, i would have given you a chance.”

“so you did have a choice after all, didnt you?”

with a single lunge, the beast lost all consciousness.

but oh no, its body was not to be disposed of—not this time. the angel wanted to have some fun.