"Apocalypse: Epilogue" by Danielle J. Sanderson

“You’re a girl?” Rhan exclaimed.

“Yes, I am,” God answered with a girlish laugh. She wore the form of a girl of thirteen years of age, with long, wavy golden hair and sky-blue eyes. Her voice was just as young as Her appearance, but gave an impression of great maturity.

“Is that why You sent me away?” Rhan asked. “So that I could prove my worth?”

“Yes. I’m sorry that it has been hard for you, but you must understand—I had no way of knowing if you would be more like you mother or your father.”

“I thought You were omniscient.”

“I may be all-knowing, but I like to give my children a choice. I gave the same choice to Adam and Eve, and they chose sin. I must admit, you are no saint,” Rhan didn’t even blush, “but you have a good soul and a pure heart. You have earned your place in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

She waved Her hand, and light flared as the Pearly Gates appeared in front of Rhan. The boy was swept with such a fierce longing that he was sure his heart would burst into ten thousand pieces.

“What about Earth?” he asked. “The Apocalypse has ruined many innocent lives.”

“I know, and it grieves Me to have to destroy My work, but I will start again. I will make it better. All those who are still alive on Earth will be brought to judgment soon enough. The Apocalypse is coming to an end. But as for you, Ylithrhanon, let me welcome you home.”

The Gates swung open, and all the light and love of Heaven poured out to greet them. The Heavenly choirs were singing with all their might. Rhan was drowning in joy. He nearly fainted when he saw his mother. She knew him right away, and clasped her arms around him as if she never wanted to let him go. The Choirs greeted him like a long-lost brother. For the first time since he had been cast out, Rhan felt loved.

He glanced back at Gabriel. No, that wasn’t true. The last time he had felt loved was when he met Gabriel for the first time. And that was the first time he had ever loved as well.

“I have something for you, Rhan,” God told him, smiling sweetly. “I return to you your wings.” With a wave of Her hand, a pair of gossamer wings burst from Rhan’s back.

He gave a joyful shout and took to the air. He was truly an Angel now. He soared among his brethren, feeling more elated than ever.

“So what kind of Angel is he?” Raphael asked, watching the gleeful boy. He was smiling ever so slightly.

God’s innocent smile replied. “Can’t you guess? He’s a Cherubim, a Guardian Angel of mankind.” She gave a small smile to Gabriel, and led the other three Archangels away.

Gabriel smiled a little sadly as he watched Rhan fly through the air. Rhan frowned and fluttered down beside him.

“What is it?” he asked.

“You look so happy,” Gabriel replied, looking away. “I never thought I would see you smile like that.”

“Gabriel,” Rhan said, turning the Archangel to face him. “Do you know why I’m so happy? Yes, I have been let back into Heaven. Yes, I have found my mother and my home. But I was happy before too. I was happy because I saved you. I was happy because you were willing to give everything up for me. I was happy because you came into my life.”

“You’re happy because you’re in Heaven,” Gabriel insisted darkly.

“Gabriel, I would have gladly stayed on Earth, knowing you were safe. I would have stayed on Earth and been in Heaven, because you were there with me.”

Gabriel finally smiled. “And now we’re both here.”

“And my happiness is all the greater because of it.” Rhan smiled radiantly. He was in Heaven, he had his wings, he had been accepted for who he was, and he was with Gabriel. What could be better?

“Hey, wait a sec,” he said suddenly. “Isn’t homosexuality considered a crime for Christians? I thought it was against God’s wishes, that it was unnatural and sinful.”

“That’s silly!” God exclaimed, having overheard. “Only humans could come up with something as ludicrous as that! Others say that it’s a chemical unbalance in the brain. Stupid! It may be a different chemical makeup, but it’s not an ‘unbalance.’ Love is love, no matter who you love. My children can love whomever they wish.”

“Well that makes sense,” Rhan said logically. He was relieved, even though he had never thought that homosexuality would send you to hell. He had never listened to all those Jove’s witnesses and their insane mutilation of a decent religion. Medieval priests had warped the Christian religion beyond recognition to suit their own purposes. Rhan had always disliked Christianity because of that. But God was not a product of Christianity. She was all-powerful and had always been there, whether humans knew it or not.

Gabriel wrapped his arm around Rhan’s waist. He smiled brightly at the boy, who smiled lovingly back. Nothing could take this happiness away.

Together, they flew off into the distance, so that Rhan could see all the things he had missed and desired for so long.