Uriel raised an eyebrow. "Let's just hope that He Below doesn't happen to think about that possibility," he muttered. "To take out the leader of the Heavenly Army -- what a victory it would be to them!" He then added, "Of course, an archangel Falling would also be a victory to them. The demon who could claim credit for that would be richly rewarded indeed."

He sighed. "Your love and devotion for Raphael are incredible, Michael," he said levelly, not teasing or taunting, just stating a fact. "However, I can't help but wonder whether they are... excessive." After a small pause, he added, "Or perhaps it's just that I simply don't understand it. After all, I have never felt anything like that myself. How anybody could love anything but Him so much is beyond my skills of comprehension."