The Angel stood at his post at the Gate of Eternity. He had been the keeper there for millenia, chosen for his dedication to duty and his love for mankind. He had made it a point of honor on his part that no minion of the Dark One had ever snuck past. Now, there had been instances when one or more minions had battled their way though the Gate to cause death and destruction on Earth, but those were the rules by which he had to abide. Any spirit, good or bad, that entered the mortal world through the Gate could do as they wished with no interference from the Angelic Guard.
The Gate he guarded was one of four main entry points for spirits, both good and evil, to enter the mortal world and gain access to man. The evil spirits, the Spawned, reveled in tempting mankind to perform misdeeds, to harm their fellows, and to turn away from the Light. The Host, on the other hand, did whatever they could to bring as many mortals as they could towards the Light, by encouraging kindness and compassion. And despite the fact that the Angel, as a representative of neutrality, could not interfere in the affairs of either the Host of the Spawned, he secretly wished the Host well.
The affinity he had for the Host, however, did not keep him from challenging and blocking their passage through the doorway, just as he did for the Spawned. As an Angel, his job was to keep mankind safe from the manipulations of either side, to give mankind the chance to make their own destiny and choose their own paths. The interference of the Host or the Spawned both made mankind's decisions false and forced. That was not what the Creator had planned.
Hearing a slight sound behind him, the Angel turned his head and saw four glowing figures rushing towards him, each holding a weapon. Two glowed a bright white while the others glowed a purple so deep that it looked black. Bringing up his sword, the Angel fended off the attacks of the two Host with the white auras and one of the purple Spawned. The second Spawned circled around behind him, making for the unprotected doorway.
Parrying the three attacks and pushing the smaller figures back, the Angel stepped towards the Gate, barring the evil spirit passage. The Spawned fell back and crouched, its cowardice in the face of the mighty Angel robbing it of the ability to flee. As the Angel raised his sword to dispatch the foul creature, he felt a stabbing pain in his shoulder and staggered forward. Spinning around, he saw that one of the Host had drawn a bow and was fitting another silver arrow to fire.
The Angel leapt towards the archer, giving the cowering Spawned an opening towards the Gate. With a glee filled shriek, the evil spirit bounded through the arched Gate and disappeared. Frowning in anger, the Angel struck at the Host armed with the bow, snapping the shining weapon and striking the Host in the arm. In an explosion of silver dust, the archer was no more.
The remaining Host and Spawned came towards the Angel, weapons weaving a pattern around them. As one, they attacked the Angel in an attempt to drive him away from the doorway. With the silver arrow still in his shoulder, the Angel was hard pressed to stand his ground and was slowly forced back. When he was pushed far enough from the glittering archway of the Gate, the two spirits turned and ran towards it, each hoping to make it through, to either tempt or save mankind as per their natures.
Making a quick decision, the Angel threw his sword like an oversized dagger, impaling the Spawned between the shoulder blades and watched as the spirit exploded into black dust. Throwing itself forward, the last of the Host jumped through the Gate, disappearing into the void beyond, its baritone laughter echoing back to the wounded Angel.
Walking over to pick up his weapon, the Angel shook his head in disappointment. Two spirits had managed to make their way to mankind, to interfere with the Creator's Great Work. Well, at least he had kept the balance in check once again, with one Host and one Spawned making it through. Ultimately he knew that he could never keep them all away from mankind. He was one Angel; the spirits, on the other hand, numbered in the tens of thousands. But, he could try his best to keep the interference to a minimum and to keep their manipulations balanced.
He knew that allowing one side or the other to gain an upper hand would spell disaster for the easily influenced mortals. Darkness and Light. The truth was that each had a place in the world. Light cannot exist without casting dark shadows, and darkness would be nothing without the light to define it. The Creator knew this and so allowed the two forces to continue to battle for the attentions of man.
The Angel again began to pace around the Gate, keeping his eyes open for more interference. It was not his place to question the Creator, but he would do his utmost to help mankind make their own choices. Vowing to allow no more spirits through that day, the Angel planted himself at the Gate, his eyes searching the darkness.
