"Samael will have to be hunted down and slain like the rest of Lucifer's brood." Gabriel said.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhdzgd967q
Michael turned away from his brother and stared out onto the city of Samaria. The Archangels had met back at the city shortly after Samael had fled Sychar. While Michael readily agreed with Gabriel that they needn't delay purging the region of evil, he certainly wasn't about to clamour for Samael's death.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVIZIQ7ZrW
"I know," Michael said hesitantly. "It's just--"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Psn8OPWD
"He's a traitor Michael. The punishment for his crime is death." Gabriel scoffed, effectively cutting Michael off.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbVtKcHUiO
Michael glared at his brother. "I am not a fool Gabriel! Don't treat me as such! I was merely going to express my reluctance to harm our own brother."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4J43sUbsl
"You did not hesitate to slaughter Lucifer and his horde when they fell, why the hesitancy now?"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75tXyQ5nG2
"That was different, Lucifer wanted to destroy the world; Samael doesn't."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WeWqY97Tr
"How can you be so sure?" Gabriel demanded.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡWewFiA8dMA
"I can't be." Michael admitted. How foolish he sounded! No wonder Gabriel was losing his patience.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTG2QfTWCA
Gabriel snorted in disgust as Michael looked to his feet in shame. Michael glanced at his brother from over his shoulder. "Who will be sent to strip Samael of his wings?"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDwcAXbJ45
"You." Gabriel replied. "Father told me before I came here that He wanted you to rid Samael of his wings. You should have killed him when you were in Sychar."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0kIGDiOQ4
"That is cruel." Michael shot, his anger flaring.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡppY5rPllMX
Gabriel appeared unfazed by Michael's outburst of emotion and answered his brother in a calm, almost monotone voice. "Stay your emotions Michael, Father commands this task of you. Do you want to be like Samael?"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKBrXco9Wt
"No."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7uyQab8Z2
"Then get to it." Gabriel hissed. "You have tested our Lord's patience enough. Your rank as General is the only thing keeping your safe from His wrath. He told me as much."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡdorcuT1PeN
Michael remained silent, refusing to meet his brother's gaze. The task to maim and potentially kill a fellow Archangel was disturbing to say the least but Michael couldn't disobey. Father was certainly testing the strength of Michael's loyalty. The Archangel thought of Abraham and how he was told to sacrifice his son, Isaac, to God only to be stopped at the last moment. Michael doubted he would be stopped from fulfilling what Father had commanded him to do.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9ypBwC0Fy
Gabriel sighed in annoyance. "Samael awaits his fate in Damascus. Father will guide you there." The Archangel spread his wings out. "Don't disappoint Him again brother. In the meantime I'll see to cleansing Samaria of Satan's filth." With a great sweep of his wings, Gabriel was airborne and swiftly vanished from sight.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTGYsw9EF8
Michael thought back to when he had to ask for forgiveness from his creator. He had been pardoned but repentance wasn't something commonly granted to angels; only humans had that luxury. He had no choice but carry out his Father's will; he had vowed that much when the war began. If Michael refused then he too might lose his wings and another Archangel would be sent to punish both him and Samael.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTw85117Rg
The Archangel took several shaky breaths then looked to the sky. Thy will shall be carried out. I wouldn't dare disobey thee again. Without waiting for a response, Michael rose into the sky, gliding aimlessly towards Damascus. He could feel the wind snag his wings and push him towards his objective. copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFqt41ZH2E
A great expanse of trees and mountainous terrain stretched out before him. He knew he was getting closer to Samael, he could sense it. Michael slowly descended as Damascus appeared before him far off into the distance. He landed gently upon the ground and walked a few paces until he encountered his brother standing amongst a cluster of trees, gazing up at the pale sun. The angel of Death suddenly turned and gave his brother a devious smile.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwyWv1sEF8
Michael felt his heart sink at the sight of Samael. copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm1jv6kxec
Samael's hair was disheveled, the feathers of his black wings were askew, his once beautiful face was gaunt, and his eyes held a wild glint in them. It was the gaze only the insane held in their eyes. The angel of Death chuckled. "Michael! Dear brother! How are you?"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9RdCWfCDh
Michael's throat felt painfully dry but he managed to choke out a response. "As well as one can expect. Samael are you alright?" The Archangel knew the answer already but he was unsure of how to approach his brother.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSOQOjRhXx
The raven-haired angel laughed. "As if you care! I see Gabriel has gotten you to execute me since he's too cowardly to carry out God's so-called justice."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJUr3pyoXM
Michael rested a hand on the hilt of his sword. He considered the possibility of killing Samael, which was a thought that left a dull ache in Michael's chest. Samael was twitching and his eyes looked this way and that; he could attack Michael at any given moment. He was armed after all.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKVrYynda0
"Gabriel is worried for you brother as am I." Michael replied.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡusTjiIC9ZA
Samael smirked and pointed to his head. "Lucifer has spoken to me, he speaks to me in my head. He tells me the most wonderful things."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpkBQn1pLY
Michael, unable to restrain himself further, took great strides towards his brother and moved to grab his arms. His objective was to rid Samael's wings but he was going to try to win his brother back first. "He is a trickster Samael! He cannot be trusted!"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡblI7NGGaUR
Samael snarled and backed out of Michael's reach. "Father is the liar here Michael!" He spat. "Humans are a vile and undeserving race. They should be exterminated. The earth belongs to angels!"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpj4IBNlLM
The Prince of Angels glared at his brother. "You are a fool! Humans were made to be the overseers of the earth, angels don't belong down here!"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡVscf33C5sn
"Brainwashed lump of flesh!" Samael hissed. "A typical response from God's favourite angel."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EJLMwssHn
Michael grit his teeth. All fallen angels seemed to think he was the "favourite" of the Almighty. Hadn't the Archangels made it quite clear that the Lord didn't play favourites among them? Certainly, the children of earth revered the Archangel and made Michael their champion, but that was out of humanity's own vocation, not Father's!copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTMCYueLPZ
"I beg of you Samael don't turn on Father! He'll show you mercy if you reject Lucifer and come back to us!" Michael pleaded.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKsK0wNCBg
Samael shook his head and snorted. "I'm never going back brother, I enjoyed the freedom Lucifer has given me too much."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EUKqGhT8Z
The Prince of Angels stood stunned before his brother. "Samael please-"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsS24QxiCn
"NO! I'm not going back to that tyrant of a god!" Samael shouted and, with a great shove, sent Michael staggering backwards.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡia8LU8hILT
Michael drew his sword as Samael unsheathed two daggers. "Killing you will hurt Father beyond words." The angel of Death smiled. "Gabriel's death will be a huge blow to Him as well."copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMxTwYAOSJ
"Leave Gabriel be! He's only ever been kind to you Samael, you have no quarrel with him!"copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8bFbgwIy9
"Wrong. All the Archangels must die." Samael roared as he surged forward. Michael barely had any time to react as his brother became nothing but a blur as he attacked Michael again and again. copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RjdCemUX7
Samael was unrelenting in his assault and sent Michael flying back into the dirt. The battered Archangel quickly regained his footing to meet his brother head on. The two Archangels clashed and Michael slashed his sword across Samael's torso.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWTlPqjqeb
The angel of Death jumped back and clutched the wound as blood dripped onto the ground. Samael spread his wings and launched himself skywards with Michael in hot pursuit.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1kmHvCeeb
Samael was heading straight for Damascus! The Archangel beat his wings harder, urging himself to fly faster before his brother could cause any destruction to the city.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk2HyFVUzS
Michael gained on Samael and grabbed the angel's ankle, causing him to falter in flight. Samael quickly recovered and lashed out at Michael, cutting the palm of his right hand open.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nOVIEl25A
Michael dodged another attack from Samael and dived at his estranged brother's flank, folding his wings so he plummeted through the air. With a great heave, Michael swung his sword down onto the joints of Samael's wings, effectively cleaving both limbs off. copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡefByCi4exj
The angel of Death gave out a terrible scream and grabbed one of Michael's wings, dragging his brother down with him. Both angels had lost grip of their weapons and Michael now struggled to get of Samael's grip.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUDsBc7x6H
The angel of death hung onto both of Michael's wings, rendering them useless. Michael looked over his brother's shoulder and saw the earth speedily coming up to meet them. The earth fractured open, revealing a fiery chasm. He looked back at his brother, frightened beyond words.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡq95f4NUqPZ
Father! Michael cried out. Don't let him take me to Hell! Help me please!copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04fCCRVH6s
Father's voice boomed in response. Michael!copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vmEXYQ5wX
The Archangel was suddenly wrested from Samael's grip by one of the six-winged Seraph and held aloft as Samael plummeted into the chasm. The fallen angel screamed as he was engulfed by flames and disappeared from Michael's sight.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW7SbbF5Cv
The Seraph gave Michael a reassuring smile as he carried the Archangel to earth. "Don't fret Archangel; thou hath pleased the Lord." The Seraph said.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DzlfcdaTj
Michael merely nodded in response. He felt too grief stricken for conversation. The Seraph seemed to understand this and remained silent until he dropped Michael on his feet on the ground.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUOZzMYqSu
The Archangel turned to the Seraph and thanked him. "What does the Lord command of me now?" He asked.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFrvxDHdJj
"Return to Samaria and join your brother in purging demons from its lands." The Seraph said. He took hold of Michael's injured hand and ran his finger along the cut, healing the cut.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPXiacvonp
Michael nodded and watched the Seraph fly off to the Heavens. The Archangel walked slowly through the wilderness, shoulders slumped with his head hung low for some time, wallowing in his grief. Eventually, Michael mustered the energy to look to the sky and scowled at the clouds above. copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0jw0TiZjb
He knew there was no point in lingering on his sorrow for long. Samael had committed a crime against their Father and his punishment was justly served but Michael still felt bothered by the former Archangel's fate. The look of terror on Samael's face and the terrible cry of pain that he let out at the loss of his wings seared into Michael's memory. Could Samael ever forgive him? Michael doubted it greatly; having one's wings cut off wasn't something that fallen angels ever forgave.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHQWcozTCi
Michael supposed he should feel furious at Father for telling him to send his own brother to his doom but he knew how fruitless it was to be angry at Father. Besides, he was an angel, destined for a life of servitude and obedience to his creator. But he couldn't help but find it odd how Father had made angels thinking creatures, fully capable of emotion much like humans. Wouldn't have it been better if his kin were completely mindless drones?copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl7aEin9GK
The Archangel shook his head. There was no point in muddling his thoughts with such questions. He knew full well there were things about Father that he would never know and decided to leave it at that.copyright protection129ＰＥＮＡＮＡynLSUMLdL5
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