Thanks for the feedback. I took the prompt as: this is normal to have promotion and relegation between worlds. Of course if people bet on end of season standings, wouldn't this be an ultimate fantasy betting pool? Couple that with: who would have some unique insight into divine judgement?

"Brother, if you are reading this, then I have failed. Know that for fifty years I have tried to undo what was done that fateful day. I have tried my very best to be patient. To have faith that we would be reunited. To live the life that would see us together again. I am weak. Momma. Momma saw it. It gnawed at the both of us left here without you. She ached at the punishment that you were so wrongly sentenced. It was unfair. Unjust. It ate at her body. And my soul. You must have been so much better than us to be reading this. To have had more faith that we would be together as a family again. You sacrificed to protect us. I couldn't take that chance. She loved you. Loved me. Please take some solace that it was her choice. A hope that the scales would somehow balance. She knew the cancer would take her before you returned. Knew that we would never be whole. It was her faith that you would come back to us. To me, alone. But I am weak without either of you. In the end I think it was her gift to me. A death for a chance at life again.

I love you always, lil' sis."

The letter lay cold and still on the table. I couldn't understand. It was impossible. Unreal. Fifty years. To be back here again, in this house. Again with death separating us. I strove so hard. For fifty years, being the very best. Striving to make up for that choice to protect them from his rage that day. I knew the risk. I knew the consequences. I couldn't allow you to be hurt anymore. That hate. Hate that he could harm you both. Hate that he could reject the love of his family. To strike with tongue and fist. Fifty years to let go of that fury that drove me to kill him. I want to do it again. To strike him down before he could tear our family apart. No. Come back to me. Momma. Sister. I've been so alone.

Today is the day. THE day. Everyone knew what was supposed to happen. Excitement for some. Apprehension for others. Who would go up? Who would go down?  What was the one thing that would tip the scale?

It's all just a crock of sh*t. I should know. I'm the only immortal stuck down here.

Come to think of it: which Earth am I on this time? 3? 5?

The TV remote dutifully turned on the flat screen across from my bed. "....and turning to our top story: the harbingers are expected to arrive in five hours. Experts still have Consuela Valdez polling ahead of Ayoub Beni for the first to be ascended.  If you will remember: Mr. Beni did rescue nearly all the children from the collapsed orphanage last summer single handedly.  Our analysis suggests however that the years of piety of Ms. Valdez will sway the angels.  Mr. Davidson, what in your opinion will happen later..."

Earth 4. Stuck right in the middle again. People jockeying for position. Betting on the outcome. Not too good. Not too bad. It also explains the hangover.  Good booze. Beer is the way that God shows He loves...

CRRRRACK

"JESUS CHRIST!  Dammit all. Why do you have to only do that when I have a headache?"

"Taking the Lord's name in vain is a sin."

I give the newcomer a crooked smile. "You really are a sanctimonious bastard Gabriel."

The light from his halo obscures the not quite smile. "Are you attempting to sway your fate with your blasphemes?"

"Me? God forbid. I was only startled by your presence. Forgive a poor sinner."

"It is not for me to condemn or forgive your transgressions. Only to convey your message. Do you have it prepared?"

"Yes yes. It's over on the counter. Take it and let me know where I place." He glides over to the kitchen as one of his kind can. "I bet my life I'm going up with that one."

Gabriel's lip curls just a bit before he disappears with my entry: Cain's March Madness Bracket.