He stood upon a high, grim cliff.

Lead-gray clouds veiled the sky, and gusts of wind tore ragged tufts from their edges, driving them along the shore. They passed so close that one could almost reach out and touch them. White-crested waves covered the dark, nearly black sea — boiling, crashing, and exploding into millions of foamy sparks against the giant black rocks.

The wind tousled his hair, pressed tears from his narrowed eyes, and filled his great, strong, white wings. It seemed that any moment he might be swept from the cliff — yet he stood calm and steadfast, as if his feet had grown into the slippery granite, his face lifted to the heavens, arms outstretched.

He wasn’t merely waiting — he was silently praying for the sky to open before him.

 

“Great and Almighty, I come to You and stand before You because I need help.

Grant me strength to preserve this sinful soul!

 

We know that sin is wrong, but the soul itself does not become evil.

It is still loved by us — we protect it.

We remain beside it — in joy and in sorrow.

We know its desires, we understand its pain, and we accept it as it is.

 

Grant me the chance to use all that we possess — every power, every wisdom, every verse — to keep her on our side.

Let her see clearly, recognize her sin, open her heart to pure love, and receive Your forgiveness.

 

I know You will help me to the very end.

And if the soul departs — that will be her choice.

We honor that choice, yet we do not aid sin — we aid awakening.

In this lies our strength and our truth.

 

May our love for all souls be strong and eternal!”

 

At that moment, the heavy clouds above him began to churn and swirl into a vortex, revealing a blinding blue sky and releasing a column of light that poured straight onto the steadfast figure at the cliff’s peak.

 

“I hear you, and I thank you for your prayer. I have awaited it.

 

You are faithful to Me and truly love the soul you protect.

That is your greatest strength.

We shall do everything to help her find the path to awakening,

but that path is hers alone — we cannot walk it for her.

 

Any of our heavenly host shall aid you.

The Powers, Dominions, and Authorities will calm the passions, work miracles, and turn the elements for her salvation.

We do not curse or punish.

We love every soul — and we stand in its defense.

 

But if she chooses to depart — we will let her go.

Without anger. Without sorrow.

 

Thank you for your faith and your love.

Be strong.”

 

The clouds closed again, swallowing the light.

He spread his wings wide — and soared away, carried swiftly upon the mighty shoulders of the untamed wind.