The life of Jesus
Azuriel was there when Jesus was born. In fact, she was the star who guided the three wise men to the stable where the virgin Mary and the Carpenter Joseph had laid the babe to rest in the manger of hay. She even aided the birth from afar, blessing Mary with a smooth delivery with as little pain as possible. Gazing down at the baby from up in the rafters, unnoticed by the majority of those present, she smiled down at little Jesus who giggled up at her and raised his arms above his head in joy, trying to reach for her. Azuriel’s expression turned dopey as the tiny little baby reached up for the heavens, attempting to reach her.
There was a hole in the roof of the barn that let the moonlight in right above her, framing her head with her midnight black locks with a silver halo of light as she peered down from her perch. After Noah’s Ark, Azuriel decided her human appearance needed a change. Instead of blonde curls that fell down her back in a cascade of sunlight she swapped them out for silky, onyx black hair with small gems and crystals braided into her locks sporadically, giving the impression of the stars floating in endless space. Her eyes, once a beautiful sky blue have been changed to a dazzling emerald green that sparkled in the sunlight. Her dress had changed from a summery silken white with gold clasps to a flowing purple dress with silver and black lining. When she decided to take her Godly form back, she donned a large purple broad brim hat with an opaque black veil hanging over her eyes. It was a little too futuristic for the time, but she was comfortable in her new appearance. She had also changed her Wings from her Snowy Owl pair to her Raven pair to fit more with her entire aesthetic.
Azuriel also couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty. It was her, after all, fault Mary and Joseph had to travel, as she had also accidentally shaped Rome, Egypt and Greece by letting the children she had rescued free. You see, her realm was more suited for the Immortal than the mortal. When the flood had ended, and life was restored to the Earth she had returned to her pocket Dimension where the children were kept, safe and healthy. You see, time flows differently in her realm and when she had visited to return the children to Earth, they weren’t exactly… Children. In her realm were 30 different young adults who, having been exposed to insane amounts of magic and supernatural energy from such young ages they had all been gifted with a small amount of Immortality and powers. As much as Azuriel didn’t want too, she had to put them back on the Earth. Obviously, she trained them in their powers and told them of their Immortality and made them promise only to use them for good, not that they would stick too it. (Immortality seemed to make the good bad over time, unfortunately.) A few decades after the Great Flood she retuned her children to her domain, to different parts of the earth, however. She dropped 13 of them in Egypt inside a triangle-shaped building called a ‘Pyramid’, leaving them too their own devices. They stayed among the mortals who eventually started calling them Gods, adding to their power as they were gaining more and more followers. Eventually their numbers rose as they procreated, and more Immortals were made. Soon enough, they had an entire cult of ‘Magicians’ dedicated to them who practiced magic. Same story with the 12 she dropped in Greece. These 12 she had always had more to do with than the others, as they were the only ones who interacted with her at first. Instead of going back to their original names they kept their nicknames, Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter and Hestia. Zeus and Hera ended up as a couple in their time in the Goddess’ realm. Azuriel then scattered the rest wherever they wished, some ending up in China, some in Africa, some all the way in Scandinavia! Eventually they were all hailed as Gods or beasts and Azuriel, while proud of her children, couldn’t help but feel as if she had violated the memory of God in some way or another.
Which brings us back to Jesus, the Son of God. The one who now has to die for her sin of bringing other religion into the world. Remembering that, her smile faded as she looked up to the sky, a single tear made of pure gold slid down her face, solidifying into an eight-pointed golden star and dropping down into the small child’s lap. Looking down at Jesus once more, she spread her magnificent obsidian wings and took off into the moonlight through the gap in the roof. Hovering above the barn, bathed in starlight she heard two extremely familiar voices from below her. There, out with the cattle and the sheep in the field was Crawly and Aziraphale. Grinning she swooped down behind them.
“Good evening gentlemen. How are you on this joyous night?” Azuriel trumpeted, scaring both Crawly and Aziraphale into spreading their wings out of fright and whipping around.
“Oh, H-hello! Who are you?” Aziraphale stuttered.
Crawly glowered at Azuriel, unsure who this newcomer was. Were they a spy from heaven? No, the only ones to have black wings were Angels who had Fallen. A spy from Hell then? Then Crawly’s expression turned from one of suspicion to one of confusion. He recognised that scent.
“Azira? Is that you? What happened to you wings? You didn’t…” Crawly quieted as the question hung in the air like a heavy fog.
“Yeah, it’s me. Don’t worry Craw—”
“Crowley. It’s Crowley. Crawly was too ‘Squirming at your feet’” Azuriel blanched before restarting.
“Of course, Crowley. Anyway, don’t worry your pretty little heads about it. I haven’t fallen, it’s, uh, dye! Y’know, because I had a Demon sniffing around my base of operations… Yeah.” Azuriel reassured the Angel, Demon pair.
Still looking sceptical they sat down once again, the calf Aziraphale had been petting settling down on his lap once again. Azuriel sat down with them, having only just settled before a group of lambs trotted over and plopped down beside her. They were absolutely adorable.
“So, what’s all this business with the ‘Son of God’ then?” Crowley spoke, drawing out some letters in a drawl that spoke of curiosity,
“He’s to be the Saviour of the people. God sent him to turn humans back to the path of God and absolve them of all Sins when the time comes, not that I know how that will happen.” Azuriel winced as Aziraphale glossed over the whole ‘take the sins’ thing.
Keeping quiet seemed like the best scenario here. Not wanting to share the information she knew in fear of either of them reacting badly to the news she just kept silent. Absentmindedly stroking the dozing lamb to her left, Azuriel internally promised that she would be there for Jesus. She would be his… What were the humans calling Protectors again? Ah, right. Guardian Angel. Yes, Jesus’ Guardian Angel. That sounded quite alright.
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It was a hot day; the sun was bearing down on the ground with an unforgivable heat. Jesus was sitting in the family’s hut, patiently waiting for either his father to come back or his mother to wake up. During this time his hand automatically went to his neck where a golden pendant rested on his chest. He remembered the Golden Star had been dropped by the figure who had been above all of them the day he was born. Jesus’ mother had seen the star soon after it had dropped and had taken it to give to Joseph the next day, who had crafted it into a necklace for Jesus as soon as they were back in Nazareth. The Star was a reminder that he was special, God’s son, when sometimes he couldn’t help forgetting. The young boy stood from his bed and walked to the window.
Boredom swept through his mind before he shook it off. He was the Son of God; he shouldn’t be troubled by little things like this. Especially if he’s got too… Shaking himself off once again he laid his head on the warm window. He kept it there even as he heard the sound of feathers rustling in the wind.
“Hello dear. I’m sorry I haven’t visited as of late; I couldn’t find time.” The intruder called out to him.
Jesus turned around with a small smile on his face.
“It’s quite alright Azuriel. My parents haven’t been absent enough for a proper visit.” Azuriel grinned cheekily at him.
Moving to sit on the bed, glowing white eyes on full display having forgone the veil, she motioned for him to sit beside her. Jesus went with a little spring in his step. He had known from the start that Azuriel was no Angel nor Demon. He just couldn’t figure out what she was, his best guess was a Deity but no, that was impossible. There was only One God, Gabriel was pretty clear on that. Strange though, ever since his birth he couldn’t contact God for any more than a five-minute conversation, and even then, it seemed muffled. Looking up at Azuriel he tilted his head.
“Azuriel, what exactly are you?” He asked with innocence only a child could have.
Smiling at him with a hint of sadness she replied quietly.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you the truth. I was forgotten eons ago, my dear.” Azuriel replied honestly.
But Jesus was persistent. From then, whenever Azuriel visited he made sure to ask her that very same question at least once. That was, until Jesus hit the age of 20, he stopped asking. Azuriel noticed and let her curiosity go for a while. Though she had started noticing that Jesus was getting more and more mature beyond his years, travelling all over, gathering disciples. Azuriel hardly saw him anymore other than when he went off alone to pray. She caught him one day after his monthly Prayer.
“Greetings, my dear.” She spoke softly behind him, wings and eyes out in their full Godly glory.
He turned back towards her, Star pendant swinging from its leather band. Jesus smiled serenely at her before speaking.
“I asked God about you.” Azuriel lifted an eyebrow.
“Oh? And what did she say?” Azuriel asked, Jesus smiling knowingly.
“she told me of you. How she created you to rule over earth. I know you’re a God, Azuriel. But I don’t understand how the Angels forgot you existed.” Jesus replied.
Azuriel smiled in something akin to defeat. Sighing, she sat upon a rock before Jesus.
“Yes, that is true. I am God’s sister, created by Her to rule over Earth plus a few more dominions. As for why the Angels forgot me. Well, God is currently slumbering, completely depleted by the creation of Earth and its solar system. It has been foretold that she will wake once again at the end of the world, but until them she sleeps. A lot of knowledge slept with God and, unfortunately, the memory of me slept with her. Much like the memory of the proper Hierarchy of the Angels.” Jesus took it all rather well in Azuriel’s opinion.
No screaming, no nasty comments, no disgust, only acceptance and love. Azuriel opened her arms for a hug as she stood. Jesus took no time stepping into her embrace.
“I suppose I should call you aunt then.” Jesus commented.
Azuriel chuckled.
“I suppose so.”
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“Darling, you cannot let this happen to you!” It was time.
Jesus sighed, turning to look at Azuriel in reluctant acceptance.
“It must happen, Azuriel. I have to. It will be painful, it will be unpleasant, but I shall rise once again after three days, remember?” Jesus half-heartedly comforted, refusing to look at the Goddess’ heartbroken and anguished expression.
Not to long from now, Judah will come and condemn her nephew. Azuriel couldn’t hold the sobs any longer. Jesus quickly walked to her, wrapping her in a tight hug, completely calm. Pulling away for a split second he reached around his neck, pulling the golden star from his neck. Gathering the leather between his fingers he dangled it over her palm.
“Azuriel, I want you to have this. Your tears made it, your teas shall protect it. This star was made for me from your anguish, perhaps it can alleviate some of it too. You made this for me, now I’m giving it back. Remember me by it. I do not wish for you to cry anymore; it hurts me more than you could ever know. You have been there for me from the very beginning. So please, accept this token of my appreciation and love.” Jesus laid the star gently in her open palm as Azuriel sobbed once more.
Soon, all to soon, the sound of swords drew their attention away. Jesus took one more look at her before he walked away from her to his doom. As soon as he was out of sight Azuriel crumpled. Her wings curled around her in a feathery cocoon as she clutched the Star to her aching heart. Letting out a shrill scream of pure agony she transported herself to her pocket dimension where she sobbed out her sorrow and grief, regretting all her mistake and apologising over and over for condemning Jesus to his fate.
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Thanks to some cruel, cruel miracle she was present at the crucifixion. Watching from the crowd as Jesus and two others hauled crosses up the hill, she couldn’t feel anything but grief. Looking up to the sky she sent a prayer to God for Jesus’ death to be as painless as possible. Watching on as Jesus collapsed, preventing herself from rushing to his side, she seethed in quiet rage as she saw how the guards were treating her baby. No one should have to go through this. It’s inhumane. Looking down as yet more tears dripped down her face she didn’t notice as an Angel and Demon sidled up next to her.
“I’m sorry. Did you know him well?” Azuriel startled slightly as Aziraphale’s voice cut through her mind.
Looking up she saw both Crowley and Aziraphale looking at her in sorrow. Trying for a smile that turned into more of a grimace she straightened up as much as she could before replying.
“Y-yeah… I was there for most of his life. Oh, this is so unfair, he does not deserve this.” Azuriel held back another sob as the sound of jeering caught their attention.
The first nail was driven into the flesh of the Son of God and Azuriel broke. The pained moans of her not-quite-son cut through her like a hot knife through butter. She stumbled, vision completely blurred by salty tears, she felt her back hit something. Crowley wrapped his arms around her as she curled into him more and more as each hit of the hammer against a nail caused a new wave of anguish to drown her entire being. Aziraphale and Crowley whispered barely heard comforts in her ears as she sobbed. Soon enough the cross was lifted and there, in all of his bloody glory, hung Jesus. Sobs that had just started ebbing away came back with a new vengeance as she saw his defeated stature. Squeezing her eyes shut she clutched the Golden Star around her neck so hard it drew blood, wincing as golden liquid flowed down her arm. She could feel Jesus’s sad gaze on her folded form as she grieved. Sending her strongest blessing yet toward Jesus she tried to take away his pain. Her eyes widened as she felt her blessing rejected by its target. Jesus only hung his head. Azuriel couldn’t watch anymore and buried her head into Crowley’s chest, Aziraphale’s comforting hand on her back, moving rhythmically up and down in an effort to help her calm down.
Jesus was gone by seventh hour mark.