Michael played the part of messenger and told Azrael of what the Almighty had told him. Azrael had smiled and gloated about finally taking revenge on the traitors. "You shall be pleased to know that my angels are doing well. They should be fully recovered by tomorrow." The angel of Death said with a smile.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9bMgMSt3j
Michael forced himself to smile back and nod politely. "That's certainly good news."copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhbqi76LKp
The Archangel did not like taking soldiers into battle right after they had just recovered from a previous one. Doing such things would put harmful strain on his and Azrael's angels. However, Father commanded them to take such action and Michael knew his creator wouldn't risk the well-being of his angels. So for once, he wasn't worried.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG6lqiprTL
If Michael's angels despised the sudden influx of angels in the city, they certainly kept such complaints to themselves. The abandoned quarters of Jerusalem had become rather crowded in order to accommodate the new arrivals. The two armies were rather different in temperament and worldviews but they seemed to be getting along well enough. Michael wasn't keen of the phony smiles his angels were giving Azrael's brood but they spoke of no insult towards their fellow angels so the Archangel let them be. Azrael's angels would be gone soon anyway; they would attack Babylon and move out of Judah, to where Michael wasn't sure of yet. It was likely they would return to the ruins of Samaria to ensure that Lucifer and his minions stayed out of the region.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxKHFUo2pN
Until the awaited attack on Babylon, Michael had to stay put and find something to content himself with.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMgtRtMxbO
In a short time, Azrael had become the Archangel's shadow, meekly following Michael and cracking jokes in an attempt to gain his friendship. Michael didn't mind; Azrael was an outsider to the Archangels and it would take time for him to develop the same brotherly bond that tied the chief angels together. But Samael was right, Azrael did have a warped sense of humour. He had cracked a dry remark about the looks of an old merchant in one of Jerusalem's markets, sending Michael doubling over in hysterics. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ3FpIGXnK
How long it had been since Michael had laughed! The sound seemed alien and shocked Michael at first. He put a hand to his mouth, eyes wide in shock at his lack of control. Azrael beamed at his leader and laughed at him. "It's alright to laugh and make jokes Michael. It was one of the few sensible things the traitor Samael taught us. He once told us that he thought the other Archangels were too stern for their own good."copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡibGBSnlawl
Michael chuckled. "That he did." copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ4OJ5qnS2
Azrael looked to a man who was herding goats down the street and jerked his chin towards the animals. "The people have been making very few offerings lately. Won't Father take offense?"copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb7KFsni6V
"Under normal circumstances He'd be upset. However, the animals needed for burnt offerings are extremely scant and the few that do remain are riddled with defects and disease." Michael said. "While this war wages on, Father can be forgiving of their neglect."copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡgouz0VaH8w
"Besides," Michael continued. "The vast majority of them continue with their prayers and keep His commandments close at heart."copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOpDoWpAVH
"But His children are oppressed by the Romans," Azrael said. "In Rome, they are forced to live in catacombs like filthy rats and here in the Promised Land they are subject to laws which are not their own."copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjkEusJjLG
"That will all change Azrael. When this war ends, the world will be born anew. Look, how many heathens do you see in the city?"copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8RAz9ncpA
"Not many."copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEqesfnWKq
"Exactly. They have received their just punishment and will never bother His chosen people again."copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡokKFWSo9eA
Azrael nodded, seeming content with the response he got. He fell silent then turned to face Michael. "I shall leave thee in peace now, no doubt the General has more important things to do then idle about with the likes of me." Azrael smirked at his self deprecation and Michael couldn't help but chuckle. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡchu8L1W4mr
"I would rather sit idle and chat with any of my brothers than do anything else, but if you must go you are free to do so." Michael smiled and watched Azrael leave his presence. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqv4DgrsB4
Once Azrael was gone, Michael thoughts returned to the impending attack on Babylon. The Archangel began to pace and rubbed his hands together, contemplating what he was being faced with.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ7WnQ9kf2
He would have to kill Samael in Babylon and the woman Uriel once told him about. She was the least of Michael's concerns, Azrael or any one of their angels could take care of her, but how was he to deal with Samael? What if he went ahead of the armies and killed Samael before they arrived? The fallen angels in Babylon would be without a leader and angels, whether they have fallen or not, are lost without some kind of authority to guide them.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOxJWH9Zs2
Yes! He would go to the city under the cover of darkness and assassinate Samael and the demon woman of Babylon before the battle begun! Samael wouldn't be expecting him if Michael came in disguise. He could slay Samael in his sleep.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RX1ifNHJN
Michael froze. Was he really willing to murder his own brother? No, Samael wasn't his brother anymore, he was an enemy to Heaven and therefore an enemy to Michael. That should be more than enough motivation for Michael to push forward with God's plan without much hindrance to his conscience but the Archangel hesitated. Damn his conscience! How come he couldn't always carry out the will of his Lord? Why was it so difficult?copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsVYqKmQts
Michael clenched his fists and grit his teeth. He would go ahead to Babylon tonight and not allow any hesitancy to deter him from completing his mission. If he killed Samael tonight he would still be acting within God's commands. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM1AGVMyOx
The angel's breath hitched in his throat and his palms began to sweat. He wrung his hands in nervousness. He would do it. If taking Samael's life would help weaken Lucifer's cause then he would do it, as horrifying as it may be.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNdxJQszle
The Archangel stared up at the sky. He pressed his hands together in prayer. Father, Samael shall be defeated as you wish.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡD73TJ6lakT
There was no response, but Michael wasn't expecting one anyway.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡfULHwhjSJJ
It was quite odd for Michael to go through the rest of the day and act as if no truly evil schemes had come to mind. Certainly Father had asked him, no, commanded him to defeat Samael but the mere fact that Michael had suddenly come up with a decisive way to kill the fallen angel was making Michael feel numb and aloof from the situation. He didn't want to be the kind of person who thought of such things like an assassin but that was precisely what he was doing. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXhooSTUjY
Michael repeatedly glanced to the sky and anxiously watched the sun's cycle. What about the answers he sought from his fallen brother? Samael was the only one who could lay Michael's questions to rest since Father refused to do that Himself.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡevkEMaX600
The sun crept closer and closer to the horizon. It seemed to go much slower than was normal, grating on Michael's already strained nerves. Why was the sun taking so long? Why was the night so reluctant to take the day's place? Samael had to die, there was no point in denying that. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYVpIR9Djo
The Archangel grabbed fistfuls of his hair and pulled on them, sending searing shoots of pain through his skull. He was driving himself mad and it was still early! His body was rigid with anticipation and his chest felt constricted.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMwG7Pt8Ql
Michael counted the minutes, absentmindedly wandering through the city, only half-listening to Azrael's words. Azrael quickly took notice of the Prince's odd behaviour. "You are acting strangely. Is the General unwell?"copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKj1UYfxOj
Michael shook his frantically and forced himself to smile. "No, it's not that. Nervousness I suppose."copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡu74jQEXpN9
Azrael frowned but didn't push the subject further. He scrutinized Michael's face as if searching for the true reason behind the Archangel's disposition. For a few agonizing moments, Michael thought that Azrael had somehow figured out what Michael planned on doing. He was mercifully wrong. Azrael sighed then left his brother on his own. "Whatever you say." He said.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡfghVEUNBAE
Michael breathed a sigh of relief. Azrael was ignorant. If fate was on his side then Azrael and no other angel would interfere with Samael's death.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxtCVRPRrq
When the sun had finally disappeared and the world had fallen into darkness, Michael set out of the Jerusalem, armed only with a dagger concealed beneath his cloak. He wore no armour, only a plain tunic and cloak with sandals, in order to disguise himself better. He would have to fly over the city walls and find Samael.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqLfx9GzR6
The moon was absent on this night. It seemed God had no intention in aiding Michael and why would He? He had told Michael to face his fallen brother in battle, the honourable way, not to sneak into the city to slay him as he lay asleep.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡf15q9PfYmR
Michael took off into the night sky, flying lower than was what normal for angels so he could see the landscape below. His eyes were still keen enough to see even in the overwhelming darkness that enveloped him. He felt more lonely then ever before and his stomach twisted into knots.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UIKJDlumz
The wind carried him forward for what seemed like ages. Michael's wings were beginning to tire by the time the torch lights of Babylon's parapets and streets could be seen.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYGgj0rqy4
Michael slowly descended, avoiding areas of the city that were lit. He softly landed in a vacant street and paused to observe his surroundings. There was no one in sight and by the sounds of it, there was no one around; the citizens had retired for the night.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡilErskzIGT
Where would Samael be? Somehow Michael felt as if he knew, he felt compelled to go towards the slums of Babylon. Instinct told him that Samael would be hiding there. He could almost sense his brother's presence as he walked on. Samael was close.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A3CBjkl9X
Michael strode forward as if in a trance. He pulled the hood of his cloak up and over his head so his face was in shadow. His wings disappeared so he appeared as an ordinary human being. Wings would prove to be cumbersome if he had to quickly flee into the night. Michael was as ready as ever.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjPI6fEr4N
There, lying asleep in a stable of all places was Samael. He lay on his side upon a pile of straw, in a corner away from the mules and sheep. The animals and the fallen angel remained in their slumber, unaware of the assassin that stood in their presence. Samael had his new wings wrapped tightly around his body, an arm raised so he could rest his head on it.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNYi69ikkh
It was dark, but Michael could easily make out the shape of his brother. Samael's breath was slow and steady and the angel did not stir as Michael took several steps closer. Michael unsheathed his dagger and held it firmly in one hand. How would he end Samael's life? Cut his throat? Stab him in the heart? In the back of the skull? What would cause the least pain for Samael? copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoco2Dfvtu
Michael slowly moved around Samael so he towered over the fallen angel's back. He was about to press his blade to Samael's throat when the fallen angel's voice, unexpectedly, broke the silence.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pC3hrdfc1
"I know you're there Michael."copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡafGuCOtkpu
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