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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxtDffsTla
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxcXizdlpX
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtqDa1dT7e
Gabriel's face was sombre, his mouth set into a hard line. "Michael, something terrible has happened."copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM0GrYDhNc
"What is it?"copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8C8wOGVeh
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9IO7HONC2
Michael gaped at his brother. "What? How?"copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFt0GOn8YT
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8LgGNNCuQ
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqWOsEVYDU
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdid24jRFM
Gabriel sighed. "I can't help but think that your words are untrue, only spoken for mine and others' benefit."copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJH7aaUzjo
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡquTbwi2Dph
"I only mean well Gabriel." Michael said softly.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡ178TsrSD3z
"I know." copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡLog2LBn583
"Lucifer paid me a visit before you came here." Michael said, anything to change the subject.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqfOU2NMLp
Gabriel's eyes went wide. "He was here in Joppa? That means...."copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzOEyGMQTD
"He's freed from his prison earlier than expected." Michael finished.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvruM1XxPx
Gabriel put a hand over his mouth in horror. "What did Lucifer want from thee?"copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeRaMo5Y2S
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡvax2y9DFeR
"Do I even want to know?" Gabriel asked.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgJ1Tvx3Ma
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XdwKULyoW
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bkDtJiwTB
"I can't heal him of his madness, but your power could." Gabriel said.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsQ8LiaSER
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0gNyvw5qC
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlqKwgytVu
"The poor wretch is lurking around Damascus in Syria."copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHePKo1374
Michael nodded. "Then I shall take my leave with you; my angels should be fine without me."copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwMHrA0OJF
The Archangels took off into the sky with Gabriel leading the way. copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96i7Ik2fBf
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYcimutBFn
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrkQUfXz5I
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf5MFX09R6
Michael smiled politely. "I hope you are fairing well."copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM88TwjdQx
Samael's smile widened. It was an unpleasant smile. "Never been better. How fairs the Prince?"copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpHDBFsFEy
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiV9tkbdUU
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz65jMHUPk
Gabriel shifted from foot to foot obviously feeling uncomfortable in the presence of Samael while Michael scrutinized the angel of Death, watching carefully.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDkNxMPu36
"I'm alright." Michael said. "It's your well-being I fret over."copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEN57wOE2P
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SJ4lCKhat
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSUgv7sQEL
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2caPFvg8k
Both Michael and Gabriel gaped at their brother. "Who told you that?" Michael asked.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkwOALrkI7
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LgOUgxnyP
Gabriel gasped and Michael staggered. "No, that can't be possible! Lucifer couldn't have turned you!"copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTQctAxXdy
The angel of Death laughed. ''What he says makes perfect Michael, your ears should listen. He isn't vague like Father always is.''copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5c4PafyMZ
''You speak nonsense Samael.'' Gabriel piped up.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxtBKKP4ZL
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0PdbmV51p
"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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLG6GJuJHq
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuOe18hoJ1
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiPfl6Yv3g
Gabriel rushed forward and put himself between Samael and Michael. "Samael, why resort to such needless violence? We're trying to help you!"copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WH2ECRkAV
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYYlRUtdJ5
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgn1sDjNLW
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz5Dd8TgQy
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6ppSCoVyn
Before either Gabriel and Michael could respond, Samael took off into the sky, leaving in a flurry of dust and feathers.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmeygDHopk
Michael was about to pursue him when Gabriel stopped him. "What if he turns on you again?"copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLUAjBlKmG
"He's our brother Gabriel and an asset to Heaven; we can't afford to lose him to Hell."copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmSrz3KCrD
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjMjVxfXRh
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡar1OmTcBk3
"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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡosnCdmLLSl
Michael agreed and the Archangels departed with much haste for Samaria.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHWxaOKE35
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 protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZzrgEYBro
Also, Mount Zion is another name for the temple in Jerusalem.copyright protection418ＰＥＮＡＮＡsktAQCfbNE
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