CHAPTER III

"I wish to speak to God." The blunt statement did not faze the angel who was busily shuffling through numerous documents lying before him. He did not even bother to look up. Basil cleared his throat and repeated his request.

"Then speak," the angel replied, continuing about his work. Basil looked uncertainly at Adonis beside him then turned back to the angel he was addressing. "You are God?" at that question the angel placed the files in his hand down with an exaggerated sigh. "Have you taught him nothing, Adonis?" Basil couldn't help but shuffle uncomfortably in his spot, his head bent in embarrassment whilst a small smile played on the lips of Adonis.

"I teach him what he asks Gabriel, and he had yet to ask of you," Adonis retorted and Basil could practically hear the smugness in his voice. "I do not have the time for idle chatter," Gabriel muttered and returned to shuffling through his papers.

"I can ensure you this matter is of the highest importance, please I must speak with God at once and Adonis assured me that only you can provide me assistance with my request," Basil pressed on, placing both hands on the table before him at which Gabriel sat. "The only matter that should concern you at present, Sir Basil, is the reception of your ears," was the angel's response. "But I do not understand!" pleaded Basil; "you speak in riddles." "I am inclined to believe that you are a man of superior intellect, Sir Basil. Surely you understand then what the term speak means." Gabriel spoke without interrupting his work and for one who disliked idle chatter, Basil found him to be a provider of it.

"God hears all," Adonis stated, watching Gabriel with fascination. "Oh," was the most intellectual response Basil could muster as it dawned on him. "Oh no, yes, but no, you see I was hoping for a response from God. I've been told only he could change the fate of those condemned," Basil explained making motions with his hand, earnestly trying to plead his case to the unresponsive angel. Gabriel peered over his papers and surveyed Basil with his eyes. After a long moment he transferred his attention back to the sheet in his hand.

"What is it you want from me?" Gabriel asked suddenly, catching Basil off guard. Basil corrected himself, cleared his throat and spoke; "I would like an audience with God-" "As is his right, and we ask that you arrange one," Adonis quickly added. Gabriel looked at them both sternly before rising in a single fluid motion. He moved silently till he was towering over the figure of Basil. Basil noticed that even Adonis looked small and helpless in comparison to Gabriel who stood in all his magnificence before Basil's very eyes.

"You know that you need only ask, Sir Basil. All of the inhabitants of heaven are allowed an audience with God whenever they desire," said Gabriel and knelt down. His next move stunned Basil who had frozen stiff in his spot as he was caught in the gentle embrace of Gabriel. "It is you, yes indeed it is. So the time has come already. You have a valiant and noble heart, Lord Basil. The light of your soul would illuminate the world till its end. Had you been born in the age of prophets I would have served you proudly. I know little of your future for I know only that which my King deems necessary to tell me. But know that you will forever be a man that I respect. I shall laugh when you smile and cry when you frown. Now return, Lord Basil, to your home in heaven and drink from the wine of life. I shall call upon you myself when all is ready. Let me hold you once more before we depart," the voice of Gabriel was but a whisper beside his ear but its sound resonated within Basil's heart and flowed through his veins. Gabriel extended two of his wings and enclosed Basil's entirety within them, squeezing slightly. Basil had never felt as safe as he felt in that moment and he found himself wishing to remain in such a state for the remainder of eternity.

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It had been Basil's eighteenth birthday and his uncle had insisted on hosting a celebratory banquet in the grounds of his extensive estate. Dozens of tables had been elegantly decorated with white cloths of silk, fresh wildflowers from the gardens and priceless chinaware to celebrate the occasion. People had gathered by the hundreds, all dressed in vibrant colours that matched the season of spring and the mood of the anniversary. The cake arrived on a platter that must have been a meter in diameter, if not more. "Only the very best for my nephew!" Basil's uncle would exclaim with a laugh and friendly, but not at all gentle, slap on Basil's back.

In a moment of chaos Basil had managed to slip away from his uncle and spent a generous amount of time pondering by his uncle's lake, a small sketchbook and pencil in hand. It was only when the blazing ball of fire sunk low into the water that Basil deemed it wise to return to his party and guests.

"There you are!" His uncle had bellowed upon his entrance into the great mansion. "Run off with a mindless beauty did ya? Keep an eye on all ya lovely daughters lads, there be a bachelor on the loose!" and with that he gave a roar of laughter alongside which the guests present joined in. Basil assured all who were present that he had done no such thing and that their daughters were perfectly safe in his presence.

"Ah lad, you always were too decent by any standard. C'mere and have a few drinks, it's your birthday party for heaven's sake. Here, here, yes, come and sit beside your uncle. Let's have some drinks over here!" As Basil took his seat a fresh round of drinks were brought to the table. Basil recognised a few of the faces present and recognised a few more that he fancied to put on canvas.

His thoughts were disrupted upon his uncle pushing a large glass of wine into his hands; "Drink up lad, tonight you become a man." Then he stood up tall and spoke to the crowd; "To Basil Hallward! Born my nephew, grown to be my son and forever in my eyes will he be the greatest of men. He shall paint your portraits, with more beauty than you possess I daresay," at this the crowd laughed in unison and Basil's uncle winked at him. "To Basil!" everyone raised their glasses and repeated in unison before drinking and breaking all formalities.

"The real party starts now," and that was the only warning given to Basil by his uncle before he was sucked into their games. Basil could never truly recall the number of drinks he had drunk that night nor the events that took place. He could only recall feeling elated and carefree and merry.

It was at this moment that he wished the wine he now drank from contained all of the intoxicating and mind altering characteristics of the wine on Earth. Except he was in heaven, and the wine he drank was far more superior in every respect, and completely pure.

He drank another mouthful of the red liquid and for an instant all of his worries washed away. Then the image of Dorian Gray reappeared before his eyes in all of its torturous ugliness. Basil felt the urge to hiss in a mix of agony and spite but suppressed the feeling, opening his eyes to remind himself of his surroundings.

Basil dug his fingers into the ground and breathed in the sweet scent of musk that emanated from it. And in that moment Basil came to the firm resolution that he would give up everything he had to save the soul of his beloved friend for there was no longer any joy left in his life.

"Master, if I may," Adonis stood beside Basil, requesting permission to sit by his side. They had not spoken a word since the meeting with Gabriel for there had been naught for either party to say. Basil gave a small nod and Adonis sunk down beside him as though there were a heavy burden weighing him down.

Adonis took Basil's hand and gently stroked it at a steady pace. Basil would have found the motion soothing if the angel did not appear to look so defeated. "Whatever is the matter Adonis?" Basil asked, forehead creased with the sincerity of his concern. "Master Basil, what is it that I lack? Why am I not good enough for you?" Adonis stared deep into Basil's eyes as he spoke.

Basil was all but out of his wits by this point. He marvelled at the thought processes of these angels. In one instance Gabriel chose to completely ignore and disregard his existence and in the next he was pledging his unwavering devotion to him. Now this creature made of pure light and perfection was inquiring as to his flaws when such a thing did not exist.

"Adonis, really, you are flawless and I cannot fathom to what you elude. You've always been good enough for me. There has never been a time that I've felt dissatisfied with you," was Basil's reply. Adonis pondered this for a moment before asking; "then why do you chase after Dorian Gray?"

Before Basil could answer Gabriel came from behind them and interrupted their conversation. "Sir Basil Hallward, if you will follow me you shall have your audience with God as per your request," the angel instructed in an authoritative manner. Basil stood and walked to stand beside Gabriel but Adonis did not follow.

"Adonis? We are in need of haste. Why do you not come?" Basil asked in a rush; watching as Adonis slowly stood up but did not move from his spot. "He will not accompany you during your meeting," Gabriel answered patiently. Basil stood firm and replied; "then I shall not go."

Gabriel made no movement and said nothing for a moment. Then a sudden vibration seemed to shake his body and he spoke in a strange tone; "Adonis shalt come beside his master." And so the matter was settled.

"We part ways here," Gabriel announced, causing the trio to halt in their tracks; "Your destination lies ahead, keep to the path and you shan't stray." Basil looked about him. He could spot nothing that set the path ahead of them apart from the path behind them. There must be some indicator of our position that I cannot see, Basil thought to himself and decided Gabriel was not permitted to intrude on a meeting with God and his subject.

"I understand. Farewell friend, may our paths cross again in more gleeful hours," said Basil with a small bow of respect. He turned back to his path, took in a lungful of air and went along his way, calling for Adonis to make haste as he did. "Forgive me master-" "It seems you fail to understand again," Gabriel interjected and Basil realised the insult was friendly as a genuine smile softened Gabriel's features. For a moment he looked to be the same angel that had embraced him in earnest almost a lifetime ago, or so it felt.

"No," Basil agreed with a small sigh and scratch of his head; "it would seem that I do not, yet again." But the serene mood didn't last long and was at once replaced by a tense atmosphere as Gabriel's composure shifted and a stern look was upon him. "No angel can pass this point. The light of God would burn us. You go forth alone," Gabriel spoke with surety and Basil was wise enough not to argue. "So be it," Basil murmured resolutely, "I will go to an end none, including myself, can perceive, but it must be so."

Basil made to continue his path but instead found himself standing in front of Adonis, who stood a few feet behind Gabriel, before he had comprehended his actions. They stood there in silence. Speak you fool! But what was he to say. "This is not our final goodbye, Master Basil." At that Basil broke into tears; "But it is Adonis, it is! Goodbye you magnificent creature. May you need never look on my pitiful face again. Farewell!" Without another word Basil disappeared into the distance where his angel could not follow.

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It was all but impossible to stray off the path as one's feet seemed to move of their own accord after a certain point. The peak at which Basil now knelt was incredibly white, surrounded by walls of light that swayed as blazing white flames, beautiful and threatening at once. Indeed the skin and flesh upon his bones would have burnt in an instant if he had not God's protection to guard him from the intensity of the light.

He kept his head bowed and found himself prostrating on the ground when he first heard the voice of God. From that moment henceforth there could be no other sound in which Basil found an atom of beauty. "Basil Hallward, thee hath come forth with an ailing mind. Son of the Lord, thou shalt speak and be answered." It was not an order or command seeking obedience but an invitation delivered with such warmth that all reserve fled Basil. "My Lord," Basil began, kneeling now with his head bent, "you know better than I what it is that I seek and only you can quench my thirst. I ask, with a heart full of your love and my face guarded in shame, that you relieve my friend, Dorian Gray, from his punishment and grant him a place beside my own residence in heaven. I can know no happiness be it any other way. I beseech you, my King!"

Basil's body shook in anticipation of a response which came almost instantly; "Thou possess white love for an erring son. All men sin but repent only few. Be it not unjust to reward son Dorian Gray whilst all else suffer for lesser wrongs?"

How could one debate with God? The answer was simply that one did not debate with God. Basil recognised God's question for what it was; a rejection. A rejection grounded on a perfectly justified logic. The entire purpose of an afterlife was for justice to be served based on each individual's actions before death. The only way to change one's afterlife would be to change one's life. Yes, that was precisely what Basil needed to do.

"Indeed my Lord, you are most wise," there was an edge of pleasant excitement in Basil's voice now, "I have recognised the naivety of my request and therefore wish to change it. I ask that I be sent back to life, before the corruption of Dorian's soul, so that I may change his fate." The response came as a question for which Basil had prepared; "What doth thou offer in exchange for this request?"

Meanwhile Adonis had not remained idle as Basil's conversation took place. He had decided to wait for his master's return but had reluctantly trailed behind Gabriel upon his insisting they need not linger unnecessarily. It was a quiet walk back to Gabriel's quarters during which Adonis had replayed the final words of his master countless times in his mind. It had been completely unexpected, to be put simply, and Adonis now remained with neither purpose nor direction.

The silent vibration of Gabriel beside him stirred him from his thoughts. It had all happened so quickly that Adonis could not recall the words Gabriel spoke exactly. He remembered only that he was permitted to join his master and that naught could do him harm so long as God wished it to be so. Adonis had never felt more alive or whole than in that moment and he raced off to catch up to Basil, not knowing that he raced to his doom.

Adonis was a few hundred feet away when he heard God's question to Basil. He could not bring himself to move any closer. Nonetheless, he heard with pristine clarity the answer of Basil that would tear him apart for millennia;

"My soul."