Angel of the Veil

Celestial

It was past the sun's zenith on the first day of Metatron's reawakened sentience when he was approached by six humans of particular repute. Those named Ryūzaki Sanosuke and Aotsuki Tsukamoto bore the marks of lesser deities themselves. The others, Imamura Naiku, Mary Lyn, Takayama Ukon, and Takenaka Hanbei, were great in spirit or passion measured on the scale of mortals.   Many had attempted to pass through to Samayim. Yet it was Metatron's role as Keeper of the Watch to bar all but the chosen few from entry. It was also his nature as the Burning Bush to speak. To convey the Almighty's word. Yet he had no voice in this form, in this purpose. The contradiction was its own torment.

So when the Scion of the Storm, Ryūzaki Sanosuke, came forth, Metatron stretched the limits of his being to create a loophole. Through exaltation of the Silver General's patron deity, whose affinity with lightning placed him slightly within Metatron's own sphere, his Champion could be allowed to approach and speak, if not truly enter.   Metatron's branches thrilled to experience human touch and to have his voice, the voice which spoke on behalf of the Creator, understood by a mortal once more.   "Son of Thunder. I will permit you to touch me out of respect for your patron."   The words of Metatron boomed within Ryūzaki Sanosuke's head. Unlike a human voice, and yet unlike the voice of a god as well. Metatron was an incarnation of the Tree of Life. A reflection of that which connected man to the divine. And so, with deference in his tone, the Scion of the Storm responded.   "Thank you...Holy Tree. Would you tell me what you're doing here? Is there something you seek?"   By the nature of his own being, Metatron had no choice but to respond truthfully and to the fullness of his knowledge. However, even had that geas not been placed upon him, he would have done so regardless. It was his joy and honor to communicate knowledge to mortals.   "Certainly, I would be happy to. It is my purpose to serve as a bridge between Samayim and the mortal Earth. With my great branches I hold open the heavens and when the time comes I shall take up my sword again and join the crusade."   Beyond Ryūzaki Sanosuke's hand, beyond the connection they shared and the transmission of information which bound them both, Metatron watched without sight as first Takayama Ukon and then Aotsuki Tsukamoto ran against his barrier and were rebuffed. They were not permitted to approach, and he was not permitted to speak to them. Doubt flashed in the eyes of Amaterasu's champion. He had convinced himself that only humans could approach the Burning Bush, and for the barest instant, wondered if he himself was not human. How Metatron longed to correct him, to swaddle him in a blanket of truth. Yet he could not. He could only speak to Sanosuke and only as prompted.   "Sounds like we've got at least one thing in common... Your purpose is to side with the angels, then?"   An odd question. It was like asking the thunder if it sided with the rain, or if the wind held allegiance to the sky. Metatron would answer truthfully, as he must.   "I am an angel myself, a being of God's great creation, though I cast not aside my Qlippoth to ascend to one of the ten circles."   Ryūzaki Sanosuke paused to think. He questioned his comrades, but they knew little of the truth; only snippets about the Kabbalah Tree of Life and the nodes therein to which angelic beings tied their essence. The golden Child of the Sun, Aotsuki Tsukamoto, spoke more than the others could hear. From afar, he received tutelage from another ancient being until his knowledge rivaled Ryūzaki Sanosuke's own. Not wishing to seem miserly with his own truth, Metatron girded his branches for the next question.   "So that's a 'maybe' to siding with the angels? We're still not sure what this is all about. The angels coming to judge us because there are demons living in our realm? Can you tell us more about these 'circles' and the 'Divine Council'?"   That was a great many questions, and not all of them had clear, truthful answers of the sort Metatron was authorized, was eager, to provide. So, he began to speak and did not stop for some time.   "Why yes. It's nice to see a human taking a healthy interest. You see, there are ten major categories of angels, also sometimes called 'circles' or 'spheres,' one for each node on the Tree of Life. Each sphere represents a particular aspect of sentience. The Elohim, for example, are of the circle Netzach, which is a concept that might be best-described to humans as 'Judgment.' Each sphere is commanded by the greatest of its Seraphim, who are the highest order of angels. These ten Seraphim sit on the Divine Council, which convenes to determine matters of Samayim and the Mortal Realms."   Metatron paused, but as no requests for clarification seemed forthcoming, he took a metaphysical breath which shook the sky, and continued to speak.   "There are nine orders of angels, shared across the ten spheres. These range from the basic 'Angel' all the way to Seraphim, the most powerful. Those between ranks one and six possess no individuality. Once an angelic being attains the seventh rank, that of Throne, they may cast aside their Qlippoth an choose a name which glorifies God. Cherubim are more powerful yet, and Seraphim are the greatest of angels. These three orders are commonly referred to as 'Archangels' and can rival the power of the greatest gods of other pantheons."   A moment passed while Ryūzaki Sanosuke absorbed all of this information. He was not unintelligent, on the scale of mortals, so Metatron felt no hesitation to explain these concepts to the best of his demidivine ability. The Son of Thunder eventually replied, "Wow, that actually sounds very helpful, thank you. But why haven't you cast aside your Qlippoth? What is it?"   "A Qlippoth is a sacrificial lamb. A being created to bear all of the burdens which restrict a divine being's nature. By rending a part of their own essence asunder, an angel is free to determine their own path in service to almighty God." Indeed, it was because Metatron had not created and banished his own Qlippoth that he was forced by his own nature to answer in such a manner. To mortals, this no doubt would seem restrictive, but a being brought about in service to a particular role cannot help but feel joy at fulfilling such.   "That explains the behavior of those who came down, then, I suppose. And what of these spheres and such?"   That sounded like a request to explain each of the ten spheres in detail. Metatron ordered what equivalent to thoughts he possessed and began to lecture.