Chapter Text
A hunter knows an animal is not entirely dangerous at full strength, but near the end
Fight for survival, ready to gore when backed into a corner
Gabriel did not act it, the archangel appearing as radiant and holy like before.
But
The machine knew better, it could practically read Gabriel like the many books it found
An animal once of grace and righteous fury, the so-called ‘righteous hand of The Father’, now nothing but another enemy of Hell.
The last enemy.
“Machine, we both know that this is the end , I shall not waste our time with meaningless drivel-”
His voice attempted it’s calm, booming nature
But
Emotion crept in, one The machine had no capabilities of understanding.
“-I know what you need from me, and I will not deprive you, if you satisfy my curiosity- For I need to know if you crave this for the sake of your own survival or for your own desires -”
Hunger.
That was an emotion that it could understand; and to The Machine
Gabriel is starving.
“-So come to me, machine, take as much agony as I shall take from you. For I must taste this sweet sanguis that fuels you, our last battle did not give me enough-”
Blades and guns raised, almost in sync.
The start of the end.
“-With my dying light, I shall etch the taste across the cosmos so that all will only remember the fallen for their only use. Tear me apart, machine, let all know how I was created- SHOW ME THE HUNGER THAT CONSUMED HELL!”
Recklessness.
The only way to describe Gabriel’s actions, as if he purposely wanted to bleed
And he did, his elegance preserved in the controlled blood flow from his wounds, the many there were.
Despite this;
His attacks were as lively as ever, a renewed vigor The machine did not expect.
“ BLEED ME DRY, MACHINE , IF YOU WISH TO BE SATIATED, THEN PROVE YOUR BLOODLUST!”
Manic laughter filled the air as the battle continued, blows exchanged evenly, blood soaked into every crevice of Gabriel’s armour
Ballerinas would only envy this bloody dance, the precision only professionals hope to achieve.
“ STAIN THIS BATTLE GROUND, MACHINE!”
As if complying, The machine did not take any blood, allowing it to soak the arena
Taunting almost, letting Gabriel know it did not need to heal
And so
Gabriel gave it a reason to heal
“I SHALL REVEL IN TAKING FROM YOU WHAT YOU DESIRE OF ME! ”
Parries could only work for so long
Gabriel would not allow a taste without it being earned.
And
He would not allow himself a taste without earning it.
Blades hacked at wires, The machine’s fuel mixing with Gabriel’s own
Gun fire could only stop this hunger so much, a frenzied animal.
The machine would know it reached Gabriel’s tongue as laughter filled the silence between calculated blows.
“ PAINT ME WITH THIS STOLEN LIFEFORCE, MACHINE, TEACH ME BLOODLUST! ”
This fight could only go on for so long, Gabriel’s body unable to stem the bleeding he was given
Unable to stop death no matter how much he fought
But
He would give The machine a worthy battle, both soaking in their earned rewards
Gabriel was no holy warrior anymore, just another animal motivated by the thrill of battle
An sanguine strut , his partner, an equal in this bloody elegance.
For each blow that hit, came the practiced counter-attack.
For each dodge, came the elegant retaliation.
For each act of grace, came the unexpected stumble.
A gun aimed to the face, The machine’s shadow looming.
Gabriel tilts his head, feeling his strength leave him
“Well, I’m afraid… I cannot continue this anymore, machine, this shall be your last meal- I am on death row.”
What a pathetic way to go, put down like a lame animal.
“I’m ashamed I couldn’t give you a much more bloodied victory.”
Metallic, but a hint of sweetness
Like nectar
This was not his blood.
Gabriel first noticed the taste once a second passed, realizing he was not dead yet.
Looking up, The machine fully loomed over him, gun no longer drawn, blood dripping from severed wires
Looking down, V1 just stared at the archangel, his thoughts catching up to his emotions
Of what there was.
“Gloating is beneath you. Finish me off , machine, taste your reward.”
V1 could not do it, however
This was not it’s victory, Gabriel had won
He was dying on his own terms, withering away
The machine’s last source of blood.