The angels of Samael found in the city of Samaria looked pale and sickly. They moved about sluggishly and were slow to respond to either Michael or Gabriel's torrent of questions. copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡskMXIBN27W
The Archangels had traveled to two settlements and what they saw of the angels was worrisome. Samael's angels spoke in vague terms, their eyes staring off into the distance at something neither Michael or Gabriel could see.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sinO2JFUM
Gabriel was ready to give up on what he called "a fruitless venture" when Michael called him over to a bedraggled angel from the Power Choir. The angel had startling blue eyes and raven black hair with a confused look on his face.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWSyy0qxNp
''Whatever is going on Archangel?'' The angel asked.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgKuds61ud
''We could ask you the same question.'' Gabriel said.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyFfVuiF9c
"Samael just abandoned us!" The Power said angrily. "He put some curse on us. Just look at them!" The angel gestured to the some nearby angels. "They're sickly; it isn't natural for an angel to suffer from disease!"copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr8k0Gkre8
Michael sighed. "If this many angels are affected then we might have to call the Seraphs and Cherubs down here to cleanse Samaria. Our powers as Archangels are limited."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWpBrD3xEy
The Power nodded. "I'd make haste with such a request. I'm afraid something terrible might happen."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC7qS3VaI5
Michael reached forward and touched the Power's forehead with the tips of his fingers, citing a prayer of protection. He might as well try to protect any angels that weren't under the influence of whatever darkness that had descended on Samaria.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbxwvxdQYr
The Power leaned forward and beckoned the Archangels to come closer. "Please watch yourselves Archangels," The angel whispered. "I fear there are few angels in Samaria that can be trusted." With that the angel excused himself and fled from the Archangels.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPoorP1unF
"Michael, if the majority of Samael's angels are corrupt then they'll be harvesting human souls for Lucifer." Gabriel fretted.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38haz9dvkW
While his own kin were the ones under the demonic spell that Samael had brought to them, Michael couldn't deny the threat the angels posed to the Samaritans. He would have to ensure the safety of the people under the guard of Samael's angels. The Samaritans were 'half-breeds' and were universally hated by their fellow Israelites, but angels cared little for human politics and at this point in the war, every human life that acknowledged God was precious.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH77eDFrtE
"Perhaps you should call Raphael's angels to cleanse the region." copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsuhRV7Sqv
Michael nodded. "I don't know if they are strong enough to drive out the evil of these lands." The Archangel bit his lip. "I admit Gabriel, I feel out of my element; I never had to deal with our own kin in such a state."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡytDQEd0RIk
"Then ask Father for guidance." Gabriel gave his brother a weary smile. "Let him guide your actions."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj2Vqgy6H2
As usual, Gabriel had a valid point. Michael watched a few muttering angels walk past as if he expected them to lash out at him at any given moment. It was unnerving to see his kin act so strangely.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBvfSmb0fC
''Go call Raphael's angels here,'' Michael commanded his brother. ''We need to find the source of the evil before we can drive it out. If they fail then the Seraphs and Cherubs will be needed.''copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN69DKnDC5
Gabriel nodded and wordlessly flew up onto the roof of a nearby building to fulfill his brother's request.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqp0mQhUWY
Michael stood in the street, watching both the humans and angels that walked passed him. Human eyes were blind to him naturally but the angels seemed to be avoiding looking at Michael altogether. The longer the Archangel stood in his place, the more uncomfortable and oppressive his surroundings seemed. With a shudder, Michael joined his brother on the rooftop.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHzsXsP9t4
"Did you get a response?" Michael asked.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYSR8vBv9d
Gabriel nodded. "Of course. A group of them should arrive presently."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7E080QpVN
"Excellent."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSvYltraCU
Raphael's angels, numbering around a dozen, arrived to the city and circled overhead, casting charms of healing and praying for God to drive the evil out of the city. Each angel had intricately drawn Enochian runes adorning their arms which glowed a pale white when they summoned their power.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnT7e2DQyM
Gabriel and Michael watched them from below. The Archangels felt a shift in energy but both of them could tell it wasn't enough to aid the city in any way. Why wasn't Father allowing the angels to use the full extent of their powers?copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49UIa3J1sE
Michael flew up and joined Raphael's angels, thinking the added energy of an Archangel would help. Yet the same dark, oppressive feelings that hung over the city persisted. Raphael's angels looked to one another in worry while Michael growled in frustration.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRwkPSNh2q
Father? Michael prayed. Why won't you help us? Is Samaria meant to fall into darkness? The Archangel realized how he must have sounded like a whining child and scolded himself for falling into despair so quickly. There had to be a place in Samaria where the heavenly host could get a foothold. It obviously wasn't in the city. Perhaps there was still hope to be found in Sychar?copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiN5p272TF
The human population seemed to have benefited from the powers of Raphael's angels and would be largely protected from negative influences. At least the healing angels' efforts had managed to achieve that much.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXPKG0Np2g
After Raphael's angels were sent away from the city Michael decided it would be best if they parted. Michael would head on to Sychar and the surrounding area while Gabriel would head West, towards the Mediterranean Sea.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R7AcXtZew
Gabriel gave his brother a puzzled look. "What for? There's no point in delaying the Seraphs' and Cherubs' intervention."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqOevdhDga
"I think we should scout out the rest of Samaria and find how far this evil has spread, then we can work on isolating and eliminating it." Michael explained.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡi588PO8Dea
Gabriel regarded his brother for a moment, pondering what his brother had said. He nodded slowly. "Very well. I trust your judgement."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi20TeXmec
With that, the Archangels parted.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡSECGS7U9Lb
Sychar was anchored between two mountains, nestled in a valley created by the formations. As Michael neared the town, a wave of negative emotions struck him. Wrath, hatred, envy, and greed battered his senses until the Archangel was forced to land outside of Sychar.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3hsc7hkKv
Michael leaned against the rock as he fought back the surge of darkness that was trying to overwhelm his noble heart. The region of Samaria was off worse than he had imagined. If an Archangel of his calibre was overwhelmed by the forces of evil here, then Michael could only imagine what effect it had on a mere human or lower angel.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDNxEGLB3Z
No wonder Samael and his angels had been acting the way they have in present time.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVEqCwyxGj
However, the Prince of Angels certainly wasn't going to let the array of emotions deter him from fulfilling what he had come to Sychar to do. Michael gathered his wits about him and steadily walked to the town. copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0nZsz6KTQ
Before going into the heart of town, Michael changed his appearance so he would look like nothing but a lone Samaritan man taking a leisure stroll. Despite the change in wardrobe, Michael still found the curious gazes of citizens following him as he walked down the street. He felt dread when he noticed how some of them looked at him with something akin to desire.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpu3W8KIJN
Michael dealt with a fair share of sinners and undesirables of human society before, but he, like any sane person, didn't want to be on the receiving end of some individual's inappropriate advances. He remembered the reception the two angels in Sodom got before the city was leveled. Michael was the chieftain of the angels and recalled quite clearly the revulsion that was present in the voices of both angels when they recounted the whole ordeal to him.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyImYlSwSz
Certainly, the two angels in Sodom could have killed the crowd outright, but that would have meant spilling blood in front of innocent people and angels would never take life unless told otherwise. Rendering the crowd temporarily blind was all the angels could do.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAzdz2MGMG
The Archangel shrugged the memory off and went on his way. copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡw250528PLS
Michael wondered why Sychar was the target of such evil, considering it wasn't very large or was a settlement of any importance. Was it because Samael or the Devil himself were here? He would have to find out for himself.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtqmPpHIWz
The angels in Sychar were in the same state as the angels he and Gabriel found elsewhere in the region. A handful of angels appeared to be alright but Michael wasn't about to trust what his eyes were telling him.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMaRZKTLqG
Michael approached the dismal remains of Jacob's Well. The stone walls had been knocked over, leaving a gaping hole in the ground. If someone wasn't careful, they could very easily fall in. copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXJxXOA6El
Michael could recall how many years ago how Yeshuah sat at this very well and spoke with a Samaritan woman. The very existence of His son on earth was to unite humanity and it was working all very well, even after the man was nailed to a cross and his followers were persecuted. The Archangel thought it tragic how his Father's plans of giving humanity a new beginning was being sabotaged by Satan declaring war on Heaven. copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiOqEDQllM
The Archangel had grumbled about this to Uriel and Jophiel and the twins had laughed at Michael's worry. They brushed his words off as nothing more but the musings of an anxiety riddled mind, nothing to pay much attention to. Uriel had smiled warmly at Michael. "The defeat of Hell's minions will gain more human souls for Heaven dear brother." He said.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDy6uxQojg
As usual, Michael hoped his brother was right.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LeOjbDTii
An angel dressed in rags with black wings and hair sat hunched by the well. His head hung low so Michael couldn't see the angel's face. Despite this, the Archangel knew right away that the angel was none other than his sickened brother, Samael.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiA2IeGyA2
Michael slowly approached Samael. There was a chance that Samael would attack him, even kill him if the angel of Death had the chance, but Michael was willing to take that risk. He gently touched Samael's shoulder which caused the angel of Death to jerk violently away from him.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvFTCarszK
Samael looked up, saw his brother, then leaned back on one hand. He gave Michael a mournful look. "Michael why do you insist on following me?"copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEwXsP96Is
"I didn't follow you. It's by chance that we meet."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWKYZtcF2N
Samael snorted. "I told you to stay away!"copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnjnhVxIo6
"I'm not going to abandon blood." Michael protested.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7LY5dOfkw
"A fool stands before me." Samael said to the sky. He looked back to his brother and stood. "Get away from me Michael."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIssHsVU7Y
"No."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPm0cDVKlk
"No? You idiot, are you so dense that you cannot understand what danger you're subjecting yourself to?" Samael roared, causing Michael to shrink back in fear. "I cannot control the darkness that has taken hold of my heart. I'm becoming Satan's puppet and he'll force me to kill you if you decides to stay in my presence!"copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOrBNxPBMa
"Don't give into his power Samael!" Michael pleaded. "If you submit yourself to him, then Father can't protect you! You shall never be able to come home again."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uSAWz3Sta
"I know Michael!" Samael cried. "I'm well aware of that! I needn't be reminded of my fate."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb0cbcQ7Wc
Michael stepped closer to his brother. "It doesn't have to be this way."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN0TpOrfqd
Samael suddenly grabbed his head and squeezed his eyes shut. "Stop it!" He shouted. "Shut up!" He looked to Michael. "Go away Michael. Please." The angel of Death then looked to the sky, dropping his hands to his sides. "A Cherub approaches. It seems that God has been keeping close watch of us both."copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyIi9EScwl
Michael looked at his brother in both shock and horror, as Samael's green eyes turned the colour of coal. "Run Michael!" Samael shouted. He let out a shrill scream then lunged at Michael as his mind was taken over.copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnxnAIzqQw
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