Raphael and Michael sprang into action and flew to the shore of the Dead Sea.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGTuJuOURY
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Th9bgBPyf
''Satan's lapdog where are you? Are you too frightened to face me?'' Michael taunted.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGu9NCCLRc
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zahQhA0T7
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSt34cuW6z
''My brother came of his own accord.'' Michael replied, ready to attack his enemy.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZppzKIxWu
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh4LGayy2Z
Raphael snarled. ''Leave my angels out of this!''copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIRH7VJYU5
''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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGD7XiwUm9
''Enough!'' Michael roared. ''How dare you falsely accuse my brother! Raphael!'' Michael lunged forward and Raphael followed suit.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RTqJSqzed
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJvPxnyCeU
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHN0Qylb4u
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6r92UhxSX
Both Archangels began to chant in Enochian, inciting God's power to them. Their eyes began to glow as their voices became louder.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi5UvDOSHl
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj4GG84IHe
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgSyhAFHSg
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DdeFq5wUo
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t7AyH6OPI
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5plApHuY7s
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXnGAGh9Li
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaxLzpZ1cn
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7liCY5uaB
''I know brother, I know.'' Michael whispered, his voice breaking. ''Your are the most virtuous of His angels.''copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WIjnDolSj
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnpSl8bbt7
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD37nmdua3
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBWgVZ8hhd
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiauZl1VxB
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoT12lLCfH
Gabriel and the Cherub turned and saw the Archangels and immediately went over to them.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0trQde1Id
''Michael!'' Gabriel cried. ''Father informed me that you needed aid. We flew here as fast as we could.''copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBhS8lDIgm
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPCCQPmxgN
''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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY8wpfM1PZ
Gabriel's eyes were misty with tears. ''I'm too late.'' The words were barely audible.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRt3QXfedT
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡySlBjJL7Jo
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAd8PpNAds
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5An62Pzv6
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡXybPDlMJSt
Michael became aggressive and slammed his fists against Gabriel's chest. ''This isn't how it's supposed to be!''copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjP85dk4E1
''I know Michael.'' Gabriel sobbed.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dTsDvhjfF
"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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6QEvDUjTH
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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyglOwO9KE
''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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJqAlaBIbq
Michael nodded absentmindedly. He doubted he would ever see his gentle brother in the flesh again.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XCL5NCzJM
A/N: Mikhail is another name for Michael.copyright protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCtb1WroKk
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