Stuck in Court

"Ariel, the Lion of Heaven, the Lord of Air. Such titles ill befit you."

I fidgeted slightly in the chair, making the chains rattle in the hollow room, only accompianed by the lone typewriter recording the session. Both sounds went unremarked upon.

"You have been found guilty of treason towards Heaven and its occupants, by entering within to a binding contract unallowed and unsupervised by the Most Holy One. Do you have any rebuttal of this claim?"

"Well, technically, it was done to help-"

"YOU HAVE DEFIED THE NATURAL ORDER OF THE LIGHT! It seems the defendant has nothing to say. We shall proceed with the details of the punishment."

The chains clattered around again as I let out a sigh. Truthfully, this was bound to happen at some point anyway.

Back when I first was converted to an angel, I was one of the leading followers in helping to establish the Kingdom of Heaven. I was a commander against the Dark forces, and a savior to the followers of the faith. In recognition of my deeds, I was bestowed upon the titles I currently hold, and recognized as a hero and example to those following me. However, time still runs its course, and I grew weaker in my faith, and newer, better angels overwrote my fame with their accomplishments.

The Dark found me then. It wasn't loud, or even demanding. But it was consistent. My mind eroded, little by little, and I eventually gave way. I searched for and indulged in some of the most simple, base pleasures known to man. With my angelic power, mortals had next to no chance of stopping me. But I was eventually found on my transgression, and one of my wings was taken as punishment.

From that point, I earnestly tried to restore the devotion and purpose I once had. I locked away any temptations that might beset me, and dove with renewed vigor back into service. Yet still, having tasted the essence of the Dark, the memories still called. So I took a risk. I intervened in a meeting between the Dark gods and a mortal. I made excuses, saying this was for the benefit of the Light. But maybe I knew that was simply the Dark creeping back into my mind.

"Henceforth and forever after, may you find the consequences of your sins in the punishment I bestow upon thee! You shall be known from this day as Ariel the Fallen! Your wings shall be stripped from thee, your titles be revoked from memory, and your presence shall never again be allowed to stain the land of the Light! May the Most Holy One findeth thee in contempt and revile thee! So it has been said, and so it shall be!" There was a loud slam, and my vision faded.

Author's Note-This may seem short, but trying to get the concept in word form was ****. I first got the idea when I saw Ariel only had 1 wing in his portrait, and I decided to expand on it. Let me know what you think!