Michael cursed his cowardice in the face of the enemy. The shame of how he responded was overbearing. He turned and ran away like a frightened child, which was something any human or Guardian would have done, not the General of God's armies. He considered it a mercy that no one saw him enter Joppa.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvwMHciupZ
The Archangel went to the temple, seeking some form of comfort. He felt reassured standing near the temple's walls, it certainly wasn't Mount Zion but it would have to do.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2sMrRAoCm
Michael stood there for several minutes, his breathing and heart beat returning to normal. He heard a ruffling of feathers behind him and turned to see who it was. copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkhhxQ7BaK
Gabriel's face was sombre, his mouth set into a hard line. "Michael, something terrible has happened."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJgQwX3Prs
"What is it?"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaugXW8ylK
Gabriel did not reply right away, as if he was considering his words carefully. Finally he said; "It's Samael, I'm afraid his mind has been poisoned by the snares of the Devil."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡU64coC2vdc
Michael gaped at his brother. "What? How?"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxWwnttriV
Gabriel shook his head. "It would appear to be me that Lucifer is trying to seduce Samael into following him. I've been keeping a careful eye on him and see how erratic and outlandish he's been behaving as of late." The Archangel's face was filled with grief. "He's descending into madness I fear. Not even Uriel and Jophiel could talk sense to him."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡT66on4lvCG
Michael closed his eyes as if the mere act of doing so would erase this nightmarish situation. "Samael's fall from grace will hurt Father's cause."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxNlKbXNGa
The two Archangels were silent, each thinking upon their brother's fate. Michael gently pinched Gabriel's cheek. "We can't let this deter us. If anything, we have to strengthen our resolve. This is Lucifer's pathetic attempt to make us bend and break." He said softly.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WIWs6qWxI
Gabriel sighed. "I can't help but think that your words are untrue, only spoken for mine and others' benefit."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrPYPc2bIF
Michael looked away from his brother, abashed at his own deceit. Gabriel was right after all, how often did Michael use genuine words and emotion to bolster the spirit of his fellow angels? The Archangel certainly didn't consider himself dishonest but Michael often spoke such words of encouragement out of force of habit.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZdEkYQiLw
"I only mean well Gabriel." Michael said softly.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLsbIVh8RO
"I know." copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJfGH5SKgB
"Lucifer paid me a visit before you came here." Michael said, anything to change the subject.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7AEMVCCdn
Gabriel's eyes went wide. "He was here in Joppa? That means...."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G8CRQx9Zp
"He's freed from his prison earlier than expected." Michael finished.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ8dwQipBz
Gabriel put a hand over his mouth in horror. "What did Lucifer want from thee?"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01HBGtwi6K
Michael shuddered. "To show me what mayest be the future for us if we lose. I saw what has happened to our slain kin that we weren't able to retrieve in time." The horrific things the Archangel witnessed were fresh on his mind.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfqOSiFqrF
"Do I even want to know?" Gabriel asked.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpvXD1OVqp
Michael looked up at his brother. "They suffered the same fate as any common sinner on earth; they're trapped within the blaze of the lake of fire."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrrc27GzqM
Gabriel grimaced and Michael gave his brother a dismissive gesture. "I'd rather not go into detail. We should think of how to aid Samael. It would appear that he can't be trusted."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡj62KVU3Bku
"I can't heal him of his madness, but your power could." Gabriel said.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaUL8xNWtd
Michael raised a hand as if to stop his brother from pursuing the idea any further. "I'm not as powerful as Raphael was in the matters of healing."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYENaHVQhl
Gabriel said nothing and gave his brother a blank stare. Michael huffed in exasperation. "Very well. I'll do what I can. Where's Samael now?"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAsFlnAoZV
"The poor wretch is lurking around Damascus in Syria."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf6O1elOaP
Michael nodded. "Then I shall take my leave with you; my angels should be fine without me."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wNHkYpfPG
The Archangels took off into the sky with Gabriel leading the way. copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsg38CrJ0q
The pair of angels had flown quite a distance from Joppa to Damascus. The dull ache in their wings and shoulders urged them to land some leagues away from the city. Far off into the distance, Damascus could be seen, surrounded by desert and trees.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUGLIHZ4wa
The Archangels began to walk towards the city, keeping a keen eye out for their deranged brother. A shadow fell over them and Samael touched down onto the sand before them, kicking up dust in Michael and Gabriel's face.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzGHg0FFgu
Samael smiled, his eyes bearing a wild glint in them. "It would appear that the Prince of Angels has come out of his ivory tower to see me!"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRXCU6flPf
Michael smiled politely. "I hope you are fairing well."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuasgSafWH
Samael's smile widened. It was an unpleasant smile. "Never been better. How fairs the Prince?"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQg6xx7cdn
Gabriel was right about one thing, Michael realized, something was wrong with their brother. Perhaps it was the strain of war getting to him, not the mind tricks of Lucifer. copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyeEb9KquA
If only Raphael were here then he would be able to pinpoint exactly what brought the change in Samael! Michael could only guess at the cause of his brother's behaviour.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg5RJlJTBG
Gabriel shifted from foot to foot obviously feeling uncomfortable in the presence of Samael while Michael scrutinized the angel of Death, watching carefully.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1wR73oegB
"I'm alright." Michael said. "It's your well-being I fret over."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXaQCl0nMu
Samael burst into a fit of laughter. "As if you really cared! Now why has Gabriel decided to torment me further by bringing your knavish self here?"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtL3kuo4o0
Gabriel and Michael exchanged a glance before Michael responded. "There is no need for you to spit such degrading words at us. I heard you were not doing well and I've come to aid you."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ1hQ8lenB
Samael began to pace back and forth before them. "I don't need the aid of one of God's pets!" The angel of Death suddenly stopped and stared at Michael. "Lucifer tells me he graced you with his presence today."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZzZQclQz8
Both Michael and Gabriel gaped at their brother. "Who told you that?" Michael asked.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyB7BVC0Z1
Samael cocked his head at Michael. "Come now Michael, your mind cannot be so dense that it cannot comprehend the obvious." The Archangel tapped his temple. "Lucifer speaks to me brother."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K011Q9m4x
Gabriel gasped and Michael staggered. "No, that can't be possible! Lucifer couldn't have turned you!"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUxyUnKgek
The angel of Death laughed. ''What he says makes perfect Michael, your ears should listen. He isn't vague like Father always is.''copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡoASZHuUkuU
''You speak nonsense Samael.'' Gabriel piped up.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡluElvGcF3h
Samael cast a glare Gabriel's way then averted his gaze back to Michael. He unfolded his wings and took several steps back. "I can see this discourse is a complete waste of my time. I should go."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1bKz67kmm
"No, wait Samael!" Michael rushed forward to stop his brother and grabbed his arm. He focused his energies on Samael, using all his strength to push against the darkness that resided in the angel of Death.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKWxJE1EZv
Samael reacted violently to Michael's overwhelming power. He threw his head back, gave an animalistic shriek, and tried to wrest free from Michael. The angel of Death battered his brother with his wings but Michael stubbornly held on, wrapping his wings around himself as a shield against Samael's attacks.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl0dHwTTcX
The angel of Death finally broke free of Michael's hold and backhanded his brother across the face. Samael's strength was enough to send Michael crashing to the ground, disoriented by the force of the blow.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡapZm9zthTP
Gabriel rushed forward and put himself between Samael and Michael. "Samael, why resort to such needless violence? We're trying to help you!"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyAB5jf7Yf
Samael held his wings close to his body, shoulders hunched, and stepped back from his brothers, his eyes wide in panic. "I-I didn't mean to. It wasn't me! I didn't want to hit him!"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxADLhaFbm
Michael groaned as Gabriel bodily hoisted him off of the ground and set him back on his feet. "What do you mean? A demon has made a home of your heart and mind?"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmLBJVacd3
Samael shivered. Tears were running down his face as he wrung his hands. "O Michael I am sorry. Lucifer himself has poisoned my mind!" He put his hands to his ears and squeezed his eyes shut. "No shut up!"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RCBsHVIPU
Michael reached out to his brother, to try to heal his brother again, but Samael waved him away. "There's nothing you can do for me Michael." The angel of Death wheezed, his voice cracking as he spoke.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsry6cQgR2
Before either Gabriel and Michael could respond, Samael took off into the sky, leaving in a flurry of dust and feathers.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuoo57kfjx
Michael was about to pursue him when Gabriel stopped him. "What if he turns on you again?"copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkpVWSDSBt
"He's our brother Gabriel and an asset to Heaven; we can't afford to lose him to Hell."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzVd81qYii
Gabriel and Michael followed after Samael but he had disappeared. They circled around Damascus and the surrounding area but the angel of Death was nowhere to be found.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UMpjSwD8P
A sense of urgency and panic passed between the Archangels. Samael had to be found, otherwise who knows what damage he could wrought upon humanity and angels alike. If the angel of Death switched his alliance then his terrible power would be unleashed upon the world and Heaven.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡbraBn7t1Z5
"We should go to Samaria and question his angels," Gabriel said. "Hopefully, God willing, they aren't under the same influence as their chief."copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLEqZMspLK
Michael agreed and the Archangels departed with much haste for Samaria.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡILFuaZmHCv
A/N: In early Christianity, St. Michael was seen as a healing angel. His reputation as a protector and champion of Christians came later.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOWHqkOUmO
Also, Mount Zion is another name for the temple in Jerusalem.copyright protection246ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRzDhyqKYb
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