Michael had little time to react as Samael collided into him with brute force. The Archangel's back met the ground, knocking the wind out of his lungs. Samael immediately turned and made a mad dash for the town.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0RIlgOLOn
Michael scrambled to his feet and chased after his brother, materializing seemingly out of thin air as he dropped his veil that hid him from human sight.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuyRdjdZ1b
Samael was rid of his veil that shielded him from human sight as well and was running through the streets of Sychar, shouting nonsensical things, keeping his wings closely tucked to his body. Civilians scrambled to get out of the angels' way.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ix6pGBOwn
The angel of Death cornered an elderly man and was about to attack the poor soul when Michael grabbed his brother by the back of his tunic and threw him to the ground. He turned to the old man. "Run!" Without a word the man scurried away.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7nQPJ7EuV
Michael towered over his brother's form. He didn't want to cause Samael any harm but he had to rid his brother of the evil that possessed him. copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HqAyDUMDV
Samael looked up at the Archangel in rage, his eyes pits of solid black. "Your brother will never return home!" The voice which came forth from Samael's lips was low and guttural and grated on Michael's ears. It was the voice of a stranger.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFEvL4bnTH
Michael crouched and drew his brother to him, attempting to drive the evil away with his power again. Samael lashed out, flailing his limbs and thrashing his wings violently against his brother. The Prince of Angels held onto Samael despite this, crushing the other angel against him and trapping him in a circle of arms and wings.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSP8JFRRkm
Michael chanted a prayer, begging their Father to give him the power to heal the estranged Archangel. Samael struggled against Michael, twisting around and pushing against Michael's chest in an effort to free himself.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm4cXCQRou
The Archangel focused his healing energies on Samael again and again to no avail. In despair, Michael looked to the sky. No help would come from Heaven; his Father had written off Samael. Father! Michael pleaded. Don't abandon him please! copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm9sRVx2iq
Stubborn denial goaded Michael into trying to exorcise his brother and all his attempts failed. Finally, the Archangel let go of Samael in exhaustion, his power sufficiently drained. copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3jAb2f3TA
The angel of Death slumped to the ground and lay limp in the dirt, exhausted as well. He finally mustered the strength to lift his head and gaze wearily at Michael. "Give up, I've been forsaken." Samael's eyes returned to their natural shade of green and he no longer looked so crazed. He had returned but Michael did not know for how long this would last.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGWuTU6KMv
Michael shook his head. "No! If you can drive the darkness from your heart then Father will take you back! He must!"copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡeARo2IjzLC
Samael laughed sadly and sat up. "I am not welcome home Michael." He gave his brother a sad smile. "I don't want to go home anyway."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vFj6RmmUg
"What?" Michael gasped. He grabbed his brother by the shoulders. "You don't mean that; you're unwell."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkWTOQNVAz
The angel of Death shook his head, his face wistful. "I mean everything I say. Father has been wanting me gone for awhile now, He just kept that a secret from everyone. Besides, Lucifer has given me freedom I never thought I could have, and now that I have it, I don't want to give it up. I enjoyed it too much."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP9idc0wML
Michael let go of his brother and simply stared in shock. "Perhaps if I speak to Father, He'll see reason and give you a second chance. You belong in Heaven Samael, not in Hell."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MhO6oGsKA
Samael rolled his eyes. "Your ears are deaf! Did you not hear what I just said? I am not going home. I am going to be replaced, a new angel will join the ranks of Archangels."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGVFzKvmF6
"Who?"copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6V6o9ipG5
"One of my best angels. His name is Azrael. You'll end up liking him Michael, he has a warped sense of humour like me."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPStEYRkqC
Michael was at a loss for words. He couldn't just let Samael walk away. "Why would Father want so dependable a soldier gone?"copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9iQOSBkfh
Samael looked to the ground, his cheeks colouring a faint red in shame. "I never was very faithful to Father's words Michael and I never stopped rebelling against Him. "The Accuser" is what He called me. You see, I may have obeyed our Lord in word and deed but it is my thoughts and recent behaviour that has damned me."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbnmiMwAcc
Michael pressed his brother to explain further. "What do you mean? What have you done?"copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo1ySFwJ0X
The angel of Death gave a world weary sigh. "I always agreed partially with Lucifer's rebellion but I was always too afraid of punishment to actually join him. Our presence on earth and Lucifer's recent visitations to me have prompted me to prowl the streets at night, engaging in all forms of debauchery."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV7EMWwngL
The Prince of Angels visibly recoiled from his brother. "Samael no." He whispered, his voice sounding broken.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHX24fPAQ2
Samael's eyes misted with tears and he bit his lip to prevent himself from weeping. He stood, dragging a stricken Michael with him. He clung onto Michael's hands. "Pardon my sins brother even if Father won't. I can bear His uncaring but I could not stand it if my brother thought of me in hatred."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwrO4jtB3u
Michael drew his brother into a bone-crushing embrace. "I could never hate you Samael." copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡyppF4bBAzS
Samael stood back and held his brother at an arm's length away. "How did you know I was here in Sychar?"copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeAkhFA7fq
"I didn't. I just felt the need to come here."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2XBQ2UkDX
"Then it was Father who brought you here," Samael said bitterly. "To either allow you the luxury of saying farewell to your fallen brother or to kill me."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcneSrqu20
"But you haven't fallen Samael," Michael protested. "Your soul still bears the mark of Heaven." copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpeXJwCjES
Samael snorted. "I will be rid of it soon enough. I can't hold back the darkness for much longer anyway. If you see me again, it won't be the Samael you knew so well."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOUHqLJk6n
Michael shook his head, words of protest dying on his lips as he dug his fingers into Samael's arms. He stared at his brother for some time, wishing Samael would stop giving him such a look of pity. Finally, he sighed. "Very well. I shall miss you and your black humour."copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVzG9r7AW9
Samael smiled forcibly and hugged his brother."I shall miss you as well. Farewell Michael and, please, don't stay in Samaria for long." He began to walk away then stopped and turned to face his brother. "Archangel, do not be shocked when Father commands you to kill me, I am "The Accuser" after all." With that Samael turned and vanished from sight.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡAizPgimSC0
Michael stood still for several minutes, mulling over what had just conspired. He couldn't understand Samael's reasons for changing alliances. The so-called freedom that fallen angels had was not worth being cut off from Father and Heaven. Michael couldn't imagine voluntarily choosing such a fate.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnPF5frOAy
Samael was his enemy now. That in itself would take time to get used to. Michael considered his brother's last words to him and felt disturbed. What if Father did command Michael to kill Samael? It was likely the Archangel would see his brother again and when that happened, he would be expected to drive his sword straight through Samael's traitorous heart. Samael was a traitor, there was no point in denying it. If his words were anything to go by, Samael had always been a traitor. No wonder Lucifer targeted him; the angel of Death was a weak link in Heaven's defenses.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡcStLzDdGd9
Michael felt disgust replace whatever despair he had felt at Samael's departure. How foolish and selfish of his brother to abandon his life in Heaven! Samael was being replaced with the only angel Father deemed fit to take his place but it wouldn't be the same. copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOsqEII0Bl
Despite Samael's treason, Michael wanted nothing to do with his brother's death. But if he was commanded to strike his brother down he would have no choice but to obey, lest he suffer the same fate as his fallen brethren.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mIQ2N5uCF
The Archangel looked around him. Mercifully enough, he and Samael had been alone so no one had witnessed what had occurred between the brothers. Only Father had seen.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PyvA78OOm
With a disheartened sigh, Michael fled the area.copyright protection238ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFbq5P9OPL
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