It became immediately apparent that you would need help, because as powerful as you were, you couldn't train an army by yourself.
You knew that you could rely on the other seraphs for help when it came to any combat applications of their flock's main domain.
The problem however, and the reason why you didn't ask the seraphs to help with the training is that of the twelve seraphs only you, Uriel, Helel, Michael, and Azazel could have put your immense power into combat applications without help first.
Ah right we picked the "Army of Specialists", and thus the training should be passed onto their flock. So the difference between Anath, and Helel would be one one of "How to weaponize their natural abilities" vs "Getting the Seraph used to giving their flock orders".
Michael was too busy as the new Archangel to spend his time focusing on the army, not that he was unwilling to help, he did offer every willing and able member of his flock as assistants where you needed them, as Michael's flock was of teachers, this was a boon that you were very willing to accept.
Technically speaking my understanding is that Anath has authority over all the angels of Heaven even if she does not realize it, and thus it is the duty of her siblings to contribute to the war effort, which Michael is doing. Also the need to reconcile the need of the Heavenly Host, and the regular duties the various flocks preform.
Also the need to be able to preform the regular duties of the angels, and expand it to territory that used to belong to other pantheons, which will likely involve a degree of survivors. Like I wouldn't be surprised if a good chunk of the greek pantheon survive due to considering discretion the part of valor.
Uriel had readily jumped at the opportunity to be on the field teaching those of the angels that were more magically inclined, most couldn't cast very strong offensive magic in the heat of the moment yet, but any magic is better than none, even if just as logistics to get supply from heaven to the front lines.
Huh the lack of a mention for the flock of Uriel is rather odd. Oh right they're soldiers, and probably just flat out joined up due to Anath is where the war is, or Uriel just got relegated to third in charge despite it technically being his duties.
Azazel had flatly refused to help train the Seraphim, stating that his magic was better taught by Uriel then him, he instead would be creating weapons and armor to help even the odds between the six wings and below against the more powerful pantheon's minions.
Probably objectively true, and well Uriel certainly has the time if he was somewhat sidelined from the expected position of General, which while he won't take issue with others might do so in his place.
Also Azazel likes peace compared to his subordinate iirc.
Helel was lost without the previous responsibility of leading his flock and being Archangel, unlike the other Seraphs who had offered up what they could during the meeting, Helel had been too upset and distracted to really offer anything at the time.
While you could have ignored him in favor of just using Uriel as your second in command, you didn't want to, as Helel was your favorite brother.
Ah this is setting the stage for a tragedy, and why do I get the feeling Helel is going to be petty about being second in command over Uriel?
Where others had been distant and judgemental of one so wrong at first, Helel had been accepting and kind, it had been him who took you on fishing trips at the pond in front of his house, it had been Helel who defended you when Rapheal had judged you so harshly.
Huh well this is certainly doing a good job portraying the good in Helel before he fell from grace.
Even Uriel, kind as he was now, was once young and hotheaded, there was even a time when you had both hated each other, it had only took the creation of a distant and deep ravine down on earth for tempers to cool and eventually reverse.
Huh so they just made the Grand Canyon as a passive consequence of being mad at their sibling.
It was that fact more than anything else that had led you to Helel's home ready to ask him for help. Helel lived on the level of heaven nearest to the actual physical entrance in what was once eden.
Once upon a time, there was a plan to fill this level with the human souls which Father had decided were 'Holy' enough. What that meant you couldn't quite say, as all your experience with humanity was filled with killing and suffering.
The location of Helel's abode is certainly teasing at him having chronic issues with previous decision by his Father, and that would explain his punishment. Also I think there should be a line between paragraphs here?
Helel lived in a house that was usually immaculate and, by mortal standards, extravagant. Currently however the morning star's stone carved abode was looking almost rundown and forgotten.
So does Heaven run on Fisher King rules in regards to a Seraph's home reflecting the owner, or is Helel just sufficiently pissed enough to wreck his own home?
Passing by the lake near the front entrance always brought fond memories of your brother teaching you how to fish up to the surface. It was a nice time, a time when you thought being accepted would fix the problem.
I imagine when Helel rebels the lake will remain, but the home will be gone. That would be rather tragic considering what Helel will get up to once he has fallen.
"Anath?" You were brought out of your memory by the sound of the familiar voice of your brother.
You turned towards the sound of his voice to see him near the entrance of his home, his hair was disheveled, his skin was paler than usual.
The only thing that comes to mind for Helel being paler than usual is it implying he is growing farther away from human in nature.
"Shouldn't you be out making an army, right now?" he was walking towards you while he said this a weak smile plastered on his face.
"That's what I wanted to talk about," there was more hesitation when you were around Helel, then when you talked with your other siblings.
The hesitation is due to Anath looking up to her older brother, and wanting to impress him?
You took a breath in and looked back into the lake, after you let it out you continued.
"I was hoping to be able to convince you to help me." you could hear him shuffle and sigh before responding.
"Anath, I really don't think I'm ready just yet to.."
"That's fine!" You interrupted him before looking back at him and continuing.
"I-I understand." you wanted to leave, it was clear that this was uncomfortable to him, and yet.
"In that case, do you still have our old fishing poles around?"
You continued anyway, even if your brother was unwilling at the time, maybe later he would become more receptive to the idea.
He gave a grateful smile and a nod before responding.
"They should be around here somewhere, wait here and i'll go have a look."
Why do I get the feeling Anath might pick up some illusion magic in the future simply to be able to fish around the world in peace.
It had taken nearly a month of convincing, and Helel was still sore about the removal of power and the perceived lack of trust from Father.
But after some time for him to think and recover some confidence you were able to, if barely, convince him to help out as your second in command, even if he was unlikely to be in as confident a mood as he had once been.
Ah the good old unreliable narrator trope, and a certain amount of Anath projecting her own confidence issues onto Helel. Because I'd say his problems are more his pride taking a beating, and a certain amount of trust issues.
The first choice was cheerful and exuberant Metatron, Messenger of Heaven. He has done many things for you in the past, including being the only seraph to have thought it prudent to inform you of the flood that father had planned for the humans. It would perhaps not be remiss to pay it forward by teaching him what you can of warfare.
In addition to what I've previously mentioned the fact that we went with the army of specialists choice means we'll need to have good messengers, and well Metatron can pass on his training to his subordines, which is far more valuable than top town leadership experience.
Your third choice was distant and alien Sariel, caretaker of the Earth. Sariel and his flock were Father's chosen gardeners of Heaven and Earth's wilderness, there is some lingering resentment between the two of you, because of all the outcasts of Heaven's myriad flocks none were quite so numerous as the gardeners of Sariel that preferred colourful metal and uncaring stone to drab dirt and temperamental life.
An angel who is listed among the fallen watchers, and upon further consideration what Anath might teach here is how to wage asymetric warfare. This would be rather useful against the larger pantheons.
Last and most memorable of all was Father's last planned child, youthful and energetic Remiel, Herald of God's Wrath. Where you were God's answer to the unfaithful and heretical forces of earth, Remiel was the warning sign of your descent.
Where she went storms of hail and thunder would follow, even in Babylon the days before your arrival were preceded by endless flooding and wailing thunder caused by the middle daughter of Father's Seraphim.
Another fallen watcher, and indirect confimration that there are three female Seraphs in this au. Because Gabrial is the eldest.
On one side in the air was the force marked as the Heavenly Host, it was to be led by Samiel and Kokabiel.
Samiel was a member of Helel's once flock who you mostly remember as your brother's friend and lieutenant, it was said that "where The Morning Star goes the Serpent is not long behind".
Well Helel certainly wasted no time getting a subordinate in a important position, and did the same for his brother who likely just wanted his war loving subordinate out of his hair.
Kokabiel was a ten winged member of Azazel's flock who had taken to the idea of war perhaps a little too well, in your opinion at least.
This is exactly why you were put in charge Anath. Because she dislikes the idea of war enough that she will stop as instructed, and avoid doing something dumb like finding another war to wage.
Father has informed you of the main targets of his crusade, though eventually they are likely to come together, right now you have the advantage of being able to fight them one at a time.
Something I touched on, but in terms of ability of a pantheon to work with others I'd rate them from worst to best as JEC<Trimurti <Rha<Zeus.
Basically the JEC is a giant bureaucracy merged with cultural arrogance meaning even when they decide to work with others their inclination toward viewing everyone as beneath them will make cooperation difficult, the Trimurti is similar except they've fought with Heaven before meaning they can do so if they wish, and the Egyptian pantheon has the eradication of their neighbors to look at for why they want to ally, but distance is against them among other reasons. Meanwhile Zeus is comparatively new, but that is a downside as the others are unlikely to consider them equals.
There are four Pantheon's that you have the choice of attacking, there are more, but none others with the power to fight heaven alone.
Why do I get the feeling that if we'd taken Kokabiel as an assistant his philosophy would've gotten use in a war with the Norse pantheon?
First is the young Olympians in the Aegean sea, ruled over by Zeus, god of thunder. Once this spot would have been taken by Kronos, father of Zeus and lord of time, however some time in the last few centuries Zeus and the other Olympians had taken over, though how exactly this was done you are unaware.
The Olympians are the weakest of these four at the moment, being young and new to their divinity, however if what father says is true, it would not do to let them sit unhindered for too long, as while they lack in power right now they make up for it in absurd potential.
Does a few quick google searches... alright so apparently the greek pantheon was largely slothful in this era as all I'm coming up with is is prometheus happening a good thousand years from now
Second is the Egyptian gods of the Nile, led by Ra, Lord of the Sun, of all of the pantheons, Egypt is perhaps the one most equal to Heaven. That is only if you don't count father however, as while Ra is a combatant you are somewhat hesitant to believe you could beat alone, Father would not have any issue with him; Father will not be fighting however, as he is still weak from the birth of Yeshua.
Other than Ra the egyptians have an advantage in sheer firepower, as all of their gods besides a select few are at least the equivalent to the hosts eight winged angels, you have one hundred and sixty angels with eight wings, they have far more gods. The host however has the advantage in mobility and utility, the magic of heaven can achieve much and while they may have more heavy hitters, you outnumber them greatly overall.
Does a few more google searches... alright apparently the Great Pyramid of Giza is finished a bit before 2500 BC, and the Great Sphinx of Giza is finished around that date as well.
So while I'm uncertain what the exact metaphysical consequences for this quest will be, but the fact of the matter is one of them is consider a wonders of the ancient world, and thus someone on a four pantheon marathon probably does want to deal with whatever staying power it gives them.
Third is the Chinese Celestial Court, Ruled by the Jade Emperor, you know very little of the Court in all honesty, what you do know however is that they outnumber heaven by an amount that you would consider blatantly false if it wasn't Father who told you this.
The Court however is likely weak overall with only a select few Deities who could oppose the Seraphim, worth noting however is that those deities that can, are almost Fathers equal, so if you choose to attack them first, it is worth proceeding with caution as the balance of power could very suddenly shift depending on who is fighting.
So in myth the Yellow Emperor takes over in 2698 B.C, which would potentially make this rather messy. Although it is plausible his influence will strengthen the pantheon, and that would be bad, but there is considerable risk with going at him first.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly is the Devas of the Hindu Faith. This would perhaps be the hardest fight by far, you are outnumbered, outgunned, and outmanned by the Deva. The war from three hundred years prior had proven that, with even mere humans being enough to give you pause. However you would have a possible advantage if they have not recovered from that; they lost over a
Does a few google searches... right not touching that as it has low odds of winning, and trying to make out points would be a considerable amount of work.
