26

Anger, determination or pain. Michael had no idea which one drove him to lunge after Lucifer like that, all he knew was he did and it felt good. He was happy that he could finally defend heaven like he was supposed to, he was happy that God had not forgotten them and Lucifer could finally pay for his evil against them and the most high. He remembered the look on Lucifer's face throughout the entire battle. Yes he had already become cruel before then, but the moment he took up the sword he became a monster. There was no redemption for him not because God couldn't give it to him, he simply did not want it.

A cloud of smoke blocked his view for a minute as he stayed on the air, but when it cleared up a large hand greeted his face. Michael's head jerked back and he gnashed his teeth in pain. When he faced his front again, Lucifer growled and came after him. They used their hands to attack themselves on the air, they either scratched or hit one another repeatedly. It didn't help that they both healed pretty quickly but they also knew that one major blow could put one of them down for good. Or at least Lucifer was very sure of that.

Lucifer grabbed Michael's long hair and pulled hard. This made him to turn over so his leg was were his head was previously standing. Michael took advantage of the odd position and kicked his face, then he steadied himself on the air before delivering a punch to the side of his head. The large cherub yelled in response before drawing out a dagger and throwing it straight at Michael. The latter easily dodged it by moving his head to the side. After that Lucifer hurled many daggers at him and even sent a spear flying his way. Michael paused for a second to study him, he was no longer as cocky as before. Michael noticed he was restless and he didn't throw the daggers with precision like he was supposed to, it was almost as if he was desperate to win. He held this uncertainty in his eyes, and if Michael was seeing clearly, fear. The look on his face unnerved him for a minute, Lucifer was good at deceiving and he didn't want to be cut off guard. Lucifer had also stopped attacking him but Michael still kept his guard up, he held his sword tightly and he maintained his defensive stance waiting for Lucifer to attack him.

"I could have killed you back then". Lucifer finally spoke out. Michael almost scoffed. What was he doing? Did he think that he could pretend to be remorseful and he'll just let him be?

"Your mistake". Michael said. Lucifer started laughing. The whole heaven was silent and watching the angels up in the sky. The sound of his laugh created a shiver in the bodies of all the angels. For some reason, they all knew that whatever he was planning next, was not going to be favorable to them at all.

"I have come so far". He said almost in a whisper. "To be beaten by you Michael. You'd always be second place, you can't be above me. I command you and I already command the heavens. All that remains is to go up to that temple and take out your God. If you truly want to killed at this moment, you can stay but if you wish to be spared, I can surely find a space for you in my kingdom perhaps as a slave but at least you'll be free".

"I do not need your pity, I do not need your position. I have said before and I will say again,I cannot beat you but I serve someone who can and he has given me and the angels the power to drive you out and we do not plan to let it go to waste". Michael responded. Lucifer's eyes flashed for a moment.

"I will not lose to anyone".

"You already have". Lucifer yelled and threw a large sword at Michael. The angel also released his own sword into the air and it sliced through Lucifer's. The cherub gasped in shock.

"Impos--"

"NOW!" Michael yelled. The angels in heaven immediately started to attack the rebels, unlike the first time they easily caught down Lucifer's followers. The ones they could not kill, they tied up with ropes.

Michael delivered a series of blows to Lucifer, none that he could block or counter. He felt weak, even when he tried to punch Michael, he couldn't. It was as if his power had left him. When Michael had weakened him, he stabbed Lucifer through with his sword. Lucifer groaned in pain, but he did not scream. He fell to the floor with a large thud and laid there, breathing slowly. Michael hurriedly tied him with the ropes and stood near him.

"I'll kill you". Lucifer said. "I'll kill you all. You all will rue the day you were created. Every good thing you do, I will destroy it and I will show no mercy to anyone, I will be your greatest nightmare. At the end, heaven will bend under my will".

Michael ignored the fear that was growing inside of him and he grabbed the end of the rope. He dragged Lucifer to the gates of the heaven and the other angels did the same with the rebels.

"Goodbye Lucifer, I hope we will never see you again". He said.

Lucifer stared at him from the corner of his eyes then smiled.

"I hope your wish never comes true". Michael threw him out and the other followed suit. Their screams echoed throughout the heavens. Lucifer's eyes were fixed on Michael's as he descended. He had a smile on his face but his eyes were distant and Michael had never seen anything more scary in his life.

All the angels in heaven watched until the rebels were out of sight.

Michael could not hold the tears that fell from his cheeks in silence.

Nahamani came close to him and grabbed his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. The angels began to slowly return back to their normal sizes and right away, they gathered together behind Michael.

"Where do you think they landed?" Nahamani asked in a whisper. Michael shook his head.

"I have no idea". He turned back to look at the scanty amount of angels that remained and the ruins of the kingdom of heaven.

"My God". He whispered. Nahamani squeezed his shoulder softly and rested on him.

"You fought well Michael and despite what you are thinking, all is not lost. The maker has given me a promise, and he will fulfill it". She said to him. Michael turned to her abruptly.

"The maker? What promise? Where did you see him?"

"MICHAEL LOOK!" Someone yelled from behind him. As he and Nahamani turned, they saw a bright figure falling from the temple of God.

The figure landed softly on the ground before the blazing light that surrounded it slowly faded. The angels gathered it, Michael and Nahamani in the front. When the light dimmed, the angels gasped at what they saw. Right before their eyes, a female angel laid on the floor fast asleep.

She had really long white hair and her robe was just as white. She did not have pale skin like most of them, in fact she looked more angelic than all the angels in heaven. Nahamani came a little closer and touched her skin before gasping. It felt like electricity was flowing through her body.

"Michael". She called.

"Yes?"

"This is the promise I was talking about".

"You don't say". Nahamani faced Michael with a small smile on her face.

"Well, let us make her feel welcome. We have a lot of things to prepare for". Michael nodded and stared up at the light that shone up in the sky.

"I know".