Raphael and Michael sprang into action and flew to the shore of the Dead Sea.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN1xXfHsW4
With weapons at the ready, the two Archangels stood in the sand, waiting for their opponent to appear. The smell of sulphur was faint which meant the Beast was nearby.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN0azRbwf6
''Satan's lapdog where are you? Are you too frightened to face me?'' Michael taunted.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwAtFCsvru
As if on cue, the water before them began to froth and bubble. A terrible creature emerged from the water and roared. The Beast in front of them had seven heads that bore crowns, the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear and the terrible mouth of a lion. Their foe towered over them as it walked onto land.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIikggAYIw
The Beast snarled when it caught sight of Raphael. ''You again! Mikhail, you have not honoured the agreement. You were meant to come here alone.''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ek3pTVAqa
''My brother came of his own accord.'' Michael replied, ready to attack his enemy.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQHijmVLSn
The Beast chuckled and stared at Raphael. The healer calmly stared back. The creature suddenly averted its gaze towards Michael. ''Did you know, Mikhail, that your brother has quite the--'' The Beast trailed off as if it were considering its next words carefully. '''Special' relationship with the angel he sent to retrieve you.''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb5yvlO5kx
Raphael snarled. ''Leave my angels out of this!''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmLWpaQlLg
''Mikhail, did you know that your brother is a sodomite? Oh yes, he and that angel--what's his name?--Ithuriel are quite close.'' The Beast chuckled.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs6dLqzGcr
''Enough!'' Michael roared. ''How dare you falsely accuse my brother! Raphael!'' Michael lunged forward and Raphael followed suit.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sD918vQeP
The Archangels attacked from either side of their foe, avoiding the Beast's fangs. Michael decapitated one of its heads while Raphael blinded another.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQb9MBkDW5
The Beast flailed wildly, trying to strike at the Archangels with its claws and narrowly missed them both. In frustration, the Beast stood on its hind legs and snapped at Michael with one of its heads.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsy0Fkqf0C
Its fangs snagged one of Michael's wings, tearing a great deal of his feathers out. The Archangel gave out a gasp of pain and nearly fell to the ground but managed to catch himself mid-flight and attacked again.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡH45kd6sIWH
Both Archangels began to chant in Enochian, inciting God's power to them. Their eyes began to glow as their voices became louder.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkxJtklOXi
Raphael's sword cleaved one of the Beast's seven heads, slashing its throat open. Three of the Beast's head were now disabled.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRKsRqNhFN
Michael followed his brother's attack by decapitating a fourth head. The Beast's hot blood spilled onto the sand, staining a large patch of ground a bright crimson. The creature shrieked and moaned in pain. ''How typical of you, Mikhail, to fight on the side of a cruel and unjust tyrant, 'One who is like God!' You are as vile and wretched as He is!''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmRZG559N2
The Prince of Angels was a slave to his rage now, there was no point in fighting it. He had no choice but to obey its whims. Michael felt a great surge of power within and it was as if God Himself spoke when he cried. ''I will slay you and all your kin!''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlmn5QIqEG
Michael swiftly drove his sword into the back of a fifth head where the skull connected to the neck. He wrenched the sword out and dodged the Beast's counterattack.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyxt1oTOGy
Raphael dove towards the Beast to attack but the creature turned and ranked its claws across the Archangel's front, cutting through his armour. The healer gave out an agonized cry of pain before plummeting to the ground, landing with a sickening thud by the water's edge.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAVuzBzFKn
Despair filled the heart of Michael and he fled to his brother's side. It shattered his heart to see Raphael maimed. Sweet and gentle Raphael who wanted to rid the world of all its pain. Compassionate and loving Raphael who was the most selfless being Michael knew now lay broken in the sand.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAJ4YOUHez
Michael cradled his brother in his arms while the Beast cackled. ''I'm doing you a favour Mikhail! I'm ridding Heaven of a sodomite who beds his own angels!''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX7Uq8jjXZ
Raphael clung onto Michael, desperation and panic apparent in his eyes. ''I've never lain with anyone, human or angel! I've always maintained my virtue! I swear to God!''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzAN3aoCP9
''I know brother, I know.'' Michael whispered, his voice breaking. ''Your are the most virtuous of His angels.''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xKJCIxwpM
The wound Raphael bore was deep and bleeding profusely. Michael removed the armour covering his brother's torso and pressed a bloodied hand against Raphael's abdomen. It did very little to staunch the flow of blood.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NJdHam0uj
Raphael's face was an ashen grey, his lips blue, and his eyes faded. He was dying. After countless millennia of life, the great healer was about to meet his end. He cupped Michael's cheek with one hand. ''Don't fret; Father will take care of me. Go and slay our foe. Defend Father's honour.''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mSAaVKzyA
Michael blinked away tears and looked to the Beast who was rapidly drawing near. Something in Michael had broken; he no longer had the will to fight.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz7tiJcQgC
He hung onto his brother's body and brought their foreheads together. Michael anticipated the Beast to strike him, to deliver the blow that would bring the end to both Archangels.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmpmA6xW71
A great shadow loomed overhead and Michael heard the Beast give out a strangled cry. He looked up and saw the Beast fall backwards, its chest impaled with a lance. Then he saw Gabriel touch down on the sand with one of the Cherubim by his side.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7o8Iy4t7C
Gabriel and the Cherub turned and saw the Archangels and immediately went over to them.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QcbjuVvlc
''Michael!'' Gabriel cried. ''Father informed me that you needed aid. We flew here as fast as we could.''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yywk9DR5K
Gabriel saw Raphael lying prostrate in Michael's arms, his eyes closed and his lips parted slightly. Gabriel knelt in front of his brothers and wiped Michael's tears away. Michael hadn't realize he was weeping.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkShtAQx4X
''He's dead.'' Michael whispered. Raphael's body was becoming cold, his heart ceased beating and his lungs no longer drew breath, but his great soul was still trapped within.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7Omi7ReDc
Gabriel's eyes were misty with tears. ''I'm too late.'' The words were barely audible.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLaZiv8Wnd
The Cherub approached the Archangels. ''He can't stay here. I must return his body to Heaven. There's a chance that Father or the Seraphs might be able to save him.''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgyzy1aoze
Michael reluctantly relinquished his grip on Raphael's body and the Cherub easily lifted the deceased angel up off the ground. With a sad smile, the Cherub flew off to Heaven, taking Raphael with him.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJma5EiXTW
The Prince of Angels examined his arms and hands which were dyed red with Raphael's blood. His armour and the cotton shirt underneath were stained crimson as well.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jHki0PrWc
Michael felt numb, even as his body shuddered and he wept violently, he felt hollow inside. He gave out a strangled cry, calling for his lost brother in such a pitiful and mournful way that it would have brought tears to the eyes of the most callous and uncaring of people. He collapsed against Gabriel who was sobbing with as much passion as Michael. Gabriel held his brother, wrapping his wings around him.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDtdc1fnqO
Michael became aggressive and slammed his fists against Gabriel's chest. ''This isn't how it's supposed to be!''copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMxYXDDgAw
''I know Michael.'' Gabriel sobbed.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJPU38UTzQ
"This is wrong! All of this is wrong, a perversion of sorts. Raphael wasn't supposed to die!" Michael struggled to breath and could hardly speak. He didn't protest when Gabriel stood and dragged the warrior up with him.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5etzrGBG41
The Archangels, not wanting to appear so emotionally distraught to the lesser angels, walked back to the town, allowing themselves time to calm down and dry their tears.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGO2FLFi2f
''There's still a chance that Raphael will be resurrected.'' Gabriel said, his voice breaking the heavy and pregnant silence that had settled between them.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeZE82N3Vn
Michael nodded absentmindedly. He doubted he would ever see his gentle brother in the flesh again.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1BnA34cK9
A/N: Mikhail is another name for Michael.copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfP2huOWNQ
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