As a creature born to fly, being grounded was far worse than Michael had imagined it to be. He was restless and had no choice but to walk or find some other means of transportation. Now he understood the frustrations of traveling on foot.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsfpoMeM6B
His fractured wings were mended within the span of three days but, as far as Michael was concerned, it felt much longer. His wings felt cramped and it was painful to finally unfold them and stretch the tendons and bone out.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcW24O502T
Michael slowly beat his wings against empty air, sighing in relief as the stiff muscle loosened and began to move with ease. If he was no longer needed in Joppa, Michael would leave now that he could use his wings again.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvNYCtYfcM
The Archangel gave a great sweep of his wings and rose into the air, relishing the lost freedom that he regained. His wings moved with ease, prompting Michael to smile broadly.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡHseWSCJ6pP
He flew out into the desert for several minutes before his wings began cramping again and he was forced to land. Michael couldn't complain though, he was able to use his wings and that was enough for him. copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡI52E86sd7u
Michael felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. A voice whispered in his ear, speaking blasphemous things against the Almighty. The sound of it sent a bolt of fear through Michael. He knew that voice well. Suppressing the urge to flee, the Archangel turned towards the source of the voice. copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T0VRCoQRB
An angel with black wings and dark features stared back at him, giving Michael an amused smirk.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz3RwWtg2T
It was Lucifer. copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LY8q6fTkm
Michael narrowed his eyes. "Satan! You dare to venture near God's children!"copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡosgon80MYS
Lucifer's grin grew wider, his eyes full of mirth. "Is that any way to greet your brother dearest Michael?"copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBsrsYnWeq
"A vile traitor is no brother to me." The Archangel spat, his anger replacing the fear. "Why are you here?"copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkcOtCUIvf
"I've been keeping a close eye on you." Lucifer began to walk around Michael as if sizing him up. "I admit, I'm surprised that the creature I sent to the Dead Sea didn't kill you."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TIkh5siRr
"It killed Raphael."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf2DGuC4qR
Lucifer shrugged his shoulders. "Pity."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡufcG3FjYnO
Michael took a shaky breath to calm himself. His disgraced brother was obviously showing such uncaring to get a reaction out of him. The Archangel wasn't going to give his foe the satisfaction.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡesIWN02giU
Lucifer stopped in front of Michael and took a few steps closer. "I've struck a chord I see. Raphael was the weakest amongst the Archangels but you always denied it."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuaJ8RdKVE
Michael stayed put, although the closer Lucifer got to him, the more his skin crawled. "You are avoiding my question. Why try to defile His cities?"copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqUO6YupXS
The cocky smile on the fallen angel's face vanished. "I heard that God strikes down all the unworthy who dare step near his towns and cities; obviously He was just talking big for I've been in Joppa all day and nothing has happened. Not very true to His word is God?"copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡebkW87Xbog
"Blasphemer, you know not of what you say. "copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55KgOS72D2
"Says the lapdog of God." Lucifer seethed in rage, his dark eyes soldering. "You became His favourite simply because you're too frightened to think for yourself."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfsB3zzxZw
Michael snorted. "That is something you and your minions could never understand; He has no favourites. He chose humans as the object of His love and for us to protect them. But never has He chosen favourites."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdIKaQS71g
Countless centuries had passed since Lucifer and his angels had fallen from grace and created the hybrid race of Nephilim. Even now, the former angel held a grudge against Heaven and humanity. Lucifer's hatred for the very being who created him is what prompted him to seduce humans into turning away from God. copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7m8na0udD
Lucifer had grown jealous of humanity and wanted nothing more then to see them exterminated from the earth. He turned thousands of angels against their Father which ultimately pitted angel against angel.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUTZwWz5uy
It was something Michael did his best not to think about. Killing a fellow angel, angels he had spoken to and considered his brothers, was something the Archangel felt deep regret for. But that was then and Michael felt nothing but deep rooted hatred for the surviving fallen angels now.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUMjFXax5c
Michael's reply certainly didn't sit well with Lucifer. The fallen angel scowled and stepped closer to the Archangel until they were directly face-to-face. "How typical of you to defend a tyrant."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡOskaBIlBdz
The Archangel bristled. "Your jealousy of Father and humanity blind you Satan. Nothing has changed with you." Michael struggled to keep his voice calm as he was losing his patience.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKu8K05j5A
Lucifer simply stared at Michael. It was a stare that would have caused any human or lower angel to cower but the Archangel stared right back, not allowing his enemy to intimidate him.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHvF1aCcIH
Finally, the fallen angel took a step back and pointed an accusing finger at Michael. "Mark my words Prince of Angels, I will destroy you and your armies. Your precious father won't win."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxaJHLr3nF
The bold statement made Michael chuckle. "Such confidence! It will be your downfall! Such arrogance is why you lost the first time when you tried to wrest the earth from its creator."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDp6Ma7Rud
Lucifer stepped back. "I should kill you now, it'll save me the trouble later."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmUX2W7E8Q
"Failure will be thy lot," Michael snorted. "Even if you manage to kill me, Heaven's army is stronger than yours."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwnvg5hH8E
Lucifer sniggered. "Then let me show you something. It'll assuage your foolhardy faith in your Father." The fallen angel suddenly lunged at Michael, wings outstretched and the Archangel's vision went dark for a few seconds.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLhMS3XZVr
Michael opened his eyes and gasped. He stood on the precipice of a pit where a great fire raged. The smell of rotting flesh was overwhelming and the sound of screams hurt Michael's ears. Behind the Archangel was complete darkness.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnO7lQ3tub
He was about to take a step back, to get away from the horrific sight before him but was stopped by Lucifer. The fallen angel's hands had Michael's shoulders in a death grip. "Do look Michael." copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQIHmYMDGU
Lucifer grabbed Michael's chin and forced the Archangel to look into the pit. "That's where I put the angels I have slain." Lucifer hissed. "If all goes according to plan, you'll join them here in Hell."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2GAPyEMxz
Michael said nothing, unable to tear his eyes away from the sight of his kin writhing and screaming in the flames. Those poor souls! copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKX2RjSUMn
"Tongue-tied are we? Ah well, all are when they see this for the first time." Lucifer let go of Michael's face and chuckled. "I find it amusing how they squirm."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55dNNALzdr
"Enough!" Michael roared. copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwua6kIK7g
Lucifer laughed. "Scared are we? Very well then you pigeon-livered coward, I'll let you go. But remember Michael, this is what you look forward to when this war is over."copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl0inRBgLn
Darkness consumed Michael and the Archangel soon found himself lying in the dirt outside Joppa's walls. Lucifer stood a few feet away. "I shall see you soon dear Michael." The lord of darkness faded away, leaving Michael shaken and uneasy.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQtREgsqQF
The Archangel quickly got onto his feet. His body trembled and he took several deep breaths to calm his nerves. He had been at the mercy of Lucifer and could very well have been imprisoned in Hell, doomed to spend eternity in the fiery pit with his fellow angels.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkcmviHe3O
Feeling anxious at being outside of the town, Michael turned and fled into Joppa.copyright protection267ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo9uHxmiN7
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