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" Say it. "
" Dagon, I'm working, just give me the time. "
" Say it or I'll hang up. "
" Seriously ? This is childish behavior. And I could very well hang up myself and just not come. "
" You’re bluffing, say it. "
" Fine, " Michael looked around. " I miss you. There, happy ? "
" Aw, very, meet me at 10. Usual place. "
----
When evening came, Michael managed to escape from paradise to go to Earth, to their favorite place, it was a large water park but at night when it was empty of all humans it was a superb place to meet. Of course she arrived first, as she usually does. She didn't wait long, however, just five minutes, before hands obstructed her vision from behind.
" Guess who it is. "
" A silly demon, " said Michael.
" Not far, it was just me, " Dagon replied as the brunette turned to her.
" Yes, that's what I said. "
" Oh you hurt me angel, " said Dagon.
" I'm sure you are, " Michael said wryly.
" Come here, " added the redhead, pulling her by the arm into a tight hug.
She kissed her, passionately, lovingly, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist, Michael let herself be carried away by the feeling. They stayed like that for a while before the demon pulled her to sit on the edge of a large pool next to her.
" Are you okay ? You look tired. "
" I'm okay and I'm tired, " said Michael leaning against her shoulder, naturally Dagon immediately placed her arm around her.
" So what about the second coming ? Rumors in hell say it's coming soon. "
" According to the latest information, it's for next week. Everything seems almost ready. "
" So it's finally happening, and when this is all over, we can leave, " said Dagon, placing a hand on the brunette's stomach. " All three of us. "
" So we will leave yes, " affirmed Michael.
She was almost four months pregnant and although it wasn't very noticeable there was still a small bump, the Second Coming was coming at the right time, it would allow them to leave afterwards without anyone knowing.
" So, what destination ? I know that Beelzebub and Gabriel left Alpha Centauri for Musca. "
" Didn't you mention Orion ? " asked the angel.
" Eh, I changed my mind, too close. What about Piscis Austrini ? "
Michael let out a small laugh. " I have no idea where it is. But I already told you, I don't care where it's going, so let's go to Piscis Austrini. "
" It’s going to be good, " said Dagon, nodding.
" I believe you. But there will be the confrontation first, " Michael reminded her.
" A simple setback, then we will be free, " assured Dagon, kissing the top of her head.
Their hands intertwined and they simply enjoyed each other's presence, bathed in the very pleasant atmosphere of the night. And after about ten minutes Dagon spoke.
" ...Ramiel, " she said simply.
" Ramiel ? "
" It's a good name... for an angel, for a baby. "
" Ramiel, " repeated softly Michael.
" Like the archangel of forgiveness and hope ? "
" Well, I say that... like that, you know. I thought it was pretty adequate. "
" Hey, " the brunette cut her off. " I like Ramiel, really. "
" He will be our little hope. "
" I knew you were sentimental, " teased Michael.
" I'm not... oh shut up. One of us must be, you heartless. "
" Heartless ? " Michael said falsely indignantly, before grabbing her collar to kiss her deeply.
Of course it was Dagon's idea, Michael laughed when she grabbed her to hold her tightly against her, refusing to leave her lips. They just looked like two teenage girls in love having a little cuddle on their first date, they liked it, it was simple, it was easy.
----
Michael had left a few hours later, she could never be gone too long without reason and for her part Dagon had gone to the nearest sea for a night swim and before returning to hell she had just settled on the empty beach.
However, she eventually felt an angelic aura that was getting stronger and stronger coming from behind her, unfortunately she just had time to turn around that she took a violent blow to the side of the head. It obviously hurt her and blurred her vision for a few seconds but she still had excellent reflexes and got up quickly. In front of her was a group of angels, armed and with combat outfits simpler than armor.
" Fifteen against one, that's pretty unfair, don't you think ? "
" You must be really stupid to come here alone, " said one of the angels.
" Am I really going to be attacked because I'm not doing anything wrong ? "
" No, " one of them growled as he approached, sword in hand. " Because you’re a demon. "
He didn't hesitate to strike, he might have been strong but she was faster, she avoided all his blows and despite the fact that her only weapon was a dagger, which she managed to grab, she parried a few blows before deflecting his sword with one arm and stabbing him in the heart with the other and pushing his body away before it disintegrated on the ground.
During their fight, she had not seen two other angels who had approached in turn and she narrowly missed a spear blow, it only took her two dodges before she managed to catch the handle of the weapon, of course she had forgotten the fact that even touching these weapons could hurt her. The surprise of the burn she felt in her hands gave her a shout of adrenaline and she managed to hit the angel's face three times with her own weapon before ripping it out of his hands and stabbing him with it in turn. She quickly swung the spear further and in her momentum, being well positioned, Dagon saw an opportunity and she seized it, she violently swung her clawed hand, cleanly slicing the other angel's throat, killing him instantly. Both bodies disintegrated as well.
Oh Michael would hate this, she thought.
Obviously the attacks didn't stop except they attacked all at the same time, she still managed to kill two other angels, she almost always had the advantage in a fight and this time was no exception. At least she did until two golden chains were thrown around her neck and tightened. Those damn angelic chains made to immobilize demons. Under the violence she dropped her dagger which one of the angels quickly kicked out of reach.
" Come here you filthy beast, " shouted one of the angels who was holding one of the chains, pulling on it, causing Dagon to kneel on the ground.
They took advantage of her position to stone her with spears, kicks and a few cuts, they could have killed her instantly but they preferred to just hurt her more. However, two of them facing her took out their swords, ready to use them.
" This is a very bad idea what you're doing guys, " Dagon growled as she tried to loosen the chains that were burning the skin on her neck.
" You're still talking I see, " spat another angel.
The two angels bring their weapons close to her throat.
" What do you want with our Supreme Archangel ? " one asked. " We've smelled your stench around her for a while. So speak ! "
Dagon let out a dry laugh. " You don't understand anything, " she growled. " You couldn't. "
" Tell us what you want. Information ? Hurt her ? Kill her ? Or worse, damn her ? "
" You angels are really stupid when you want to be, " she added but was starting to have trouble breathing.
The tallest of all the angels present, taller than Dagon, taller than Gabriel himself, she even found it strange not to have seen him sooner. He grabbed the two chains and squeezed them with his bare hands, she was too sore to resist and the chains blocked her movements.
" You're a big guy, you. "
The problem was that even if she played smart, she knew she was in a very bad position and that unless a miracle happened, she wasn't going to enjoy the next few minutes.
" We should get rid of her, just to be sure, " one of the angels suggested.
" Good idea. "
And this time Dagon couldn't react, she tried to free herself but let out a cry of pain as she felt a blade enter her back. It was burning, so burning, it reminded her of the pain of burning sulfur. She didn't even have time to catch her breath before she felt another stab, and another and another, her lungs were on fire and she fell back to her knees. It hurt like hell and the angels didn't stop, they stabbed her in the front and even though she tried to stop the blows, she was alone against them. She eventually fell to the sandy ground, her survival instincts screaming at her to get away but other than crawling miserably she could do nothing.
" Shall we finish her ? " asked one of the angels.
Dagon could barely understand what they were saying, her ears were ringing too much.
" No, look at her, in a few minutes it will be over, " replied another. " Let's go back. "
And they left, leaving her behind to bleed out. Dagon only managed to roll over onto her back, nothing more... she could only wait for her end.
---- (Heaven)
At first Michael was not worried to see angels returning from earth all smiles and proud, perhaps they had terrorized some humans. Well, she wouldn't have cared more if they were guardian angels, Principalities or Virtues, but Powers ? They never went to Earth without reasons and her suspicions were confirmed when she saw some stains of black liquid on their clothes and weapons, so it wasn't humans they had met.
" What happened ? " she asked them as they approached.
" We had a demon, " one of the angels said with a big smile. " And not just any one, that damn Grand Duke. Although she had some of us, may they rest in peace, it is a huge advantage for the coming battle. "
" She should probably be dead by now, " said the blonde-haired angel who seemed to be the leader of this small group, making a dismissive wave of her hand.
The self-control Michael had to not react surprised even herself, yet she could feel her heart squeezing in her chest, it was almost painful.
" Dead ? "
" Well, angelic weapons are generally very effective, especially if they have been soaked in holy water beforehand. "
" Who ordered you to do this ? " she asked them curtly.
The angel suddenly seemed much less proud. " No one, we just took an opportunity to get rid of an opponent, " she admitted now uncomfortably.
" Where did it happen ? "
" Um... "
Michael grabbed her by the collar, surprising the entire group of angels who quickly disengaged themselves from their comrade. She dragged her to the floating sphere, the others following at a safe distance.
" Tell me where it happened, " she demanded.
The angel, now terrified of what might happen to her, nervously pointed to the remote corner of a little-visited beach, a few kilometers from their meeting place a few hours earlier. Michael pushed her away by letting go of her, the angel almost lost her balance and quickly joined the others. The brunette looked at them with such a cold look that they all lowered their heads.
" Get out of my sight, I don't want to see you anymore, " she told them, really angry. " And if by any chance you dare to make that kind of stupid decision again without orders, you'll have to deal with me. "
She had never seen Powers this scared before and they had every right to be.
---- (Earth)
She wasted no time getting back to earth, flying was faster and she was really anticipating what she would find. She found several signs of struggle on the sand and blood which she followed and quickly she found what she was looking for, Dagon half leaning against a small mound of earth.
" Dagon ! " Michael cried, rushing to her side. " No, no, no. "
Dagon's body ached and she sometimes let out low moans of pain from her injuries. She tried to take deep breaths to try and calm her heart that was racing from the adrenaline. Hearing Michael's voice made her open her eyes.
" Michael... "
" Yes, it's me, " the angel told her, already trying to examine the severity of her injuries and her conclusions were not good, it seemed really serious.
Every movement hurt but hearing Michael gave her some comfort.
" I'm sorry, Michael... " She gripped her arm, wanting her contact.
" Sorry ? Why ? "
" I... killed angels... I know you told me not to but... I had to. "
" You don't need to justify yourself Dagon. You did nothing wrong. "
Her hand hovered over the still gaping wounds and could feel a familiar warmth, the use of angelic blades of course as the other angel had specified, otherwise the wounds would have already closed. No demon could have survived such injuries... none should have...
" Okay hold on, I'll take you back to hell, " said Michael, hugging her before the two of them sank into the ground.
Teleporting them both took quite a bit of energy, but she still managed to make them appear in hell, in the demon's private quarters. She managed to get her on her bed with difficulty and with a snap of her fingers she made a basin of water and a simple cloth appear.
" Cowards... all cowards... " muttered Michael.
She tore the clothes more, almost to shreds, to see the wounds better; it wasn't a pretty sight. Each wound already looked infected with horrible purple, almost black bruises and kept bleeding.
" It's ugly, isn't it ? " Dagon managed to ask.
She tried to hide how unbearable the burning pain she felt was, wanting to reassure Michael as much as possible however she knew she wouldn't last long.
" It's... "
" No need to lie angel, I can see from your face that it's bad, " the redhead said before gritting her teeth and feeling her body contract in pain, causing more blood to flow.
Michael quickly stuck a clean cloth to her abdomen, feeling sorry that it was causing her partner even more pain.
" I'm sorry...
Naturally she tried a multitude of miracle cures that didn't seem very effective. She had even tried the manual method by sewing the wounds herself but the threads did not hold and the skin kept tearing... She didn't insist, she didn't want to make the demon suffer more.
" It doesn't heal... " she muttered to herself.
Dagon slowly dragged her trembling hand to her stomach, the slightest touch hurting her terribly, she felt like she was being slowly cut by a red-hot blade.
" Don't touch, " said Michael, removing her hand.
" It... burns. It really... burns... " complained the redhead.
It felt like lava had replaced her blood. Maybe it was true judging by the feeling and her veins standing out black against her pale skin.
" I know, I'm sorry, I'll... I'll find a solution. "
" No... "
" Yes, yes, you will see, " added the angel.
Despite the pain that made her barely lucid, Dagon could see that Michael was thinking at full speed, trying to find a solution. Her vision was becoming more and more blurred and she spoke without realizing it.
" ...ll me, "
" What ? "
" ...kill... me, " she repeated with difficulty. " You know how to do it... You know where- "
" No, no. "
" Micha- "
" Stop. You can't ask me that. I forbid you. I can't do that, " Michael said indignantly.
Already kneeling next to the bed, she decided to go for broke and ask for help from a higher level and put her hands together in prayer position.
" If you can hear me, Mother, please. I never asked for anything, never, this is the only thing I ask of you. Take care of her, I need her, we need her... I beg you, leave her to me. "
A minute that seemed very long passed and Michael had a moment of hope as she felt a familiar warmth followed by a bright glow, so God had heard her and was seeing her yet she did not speak.
" ...Mother ? " called Michael.
The light was still there, still silent, Michael was almost starting to feel uncomfortable, even judged. She was about to call again but the beam of light weakened before... disappearing.
" No ! " she gasped as she began to stretch her arm toward the ceiling.
Why ? Why didn't God speak to her ?
" Michael... please... " Dagon called her weakly.
The brunette quickly wiped away a tear of frustration before turning back to Dagon. In just a few minutes her condition seemed to have worsened further. Her eyes were soaked with blood and just breathing caused blood to flow from all of her wounds which seemed to be getting bigger, the burns were eating away at her flesh little by little.
" Just look at me... "
" That's what I always do angel. "
The brunette let out a short, frank but sad laugh, thinking that she would no longer hear the demon's romantic ramblings.
" Michael... I know, you know. "
Of course both knew that these wounds would not heal and that delaying the inevitable would only make them suffer more. The redhead managed to lift her hand to caress her cheek as the angel reluctantly grabs Dagon's dagger.
" Forgive me... "
" It's okay, Michael, you're not doing anything... wrong, " the demoness assured her, pressing the back of her other hand against her stomach. " Take care... of him, okay ? And find your brother... don't stay alone, please. "
It was the first time Michael had ever trembled while holding a weapon. She positioned herself and placed the tip of the dagger against Dagon's chest, where her heart was, and she herself placed her hand on those of the brunette.
" I trust you, " mumbled Dagon.
With every word she spoke, a trickle of black blood flowed from her mouth.
" Forgive me... "
" Nothing to forgive. "
Michael softly kissed her burning forehead. " I love you, " she whispered one last time as she closed her eyes to sink her blade in with a precise motion.
With one last breath, she felt the redhead's hand slowly slide down to fall limply next to her body.
" I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... " cried Michael. " I'm so sorry... "
She pulled the blade out to throw it across the room and fell to her knees next to the bed. She clapped her hands over her mouth to muffle her cries... it wasn't very effective. It was the first time killing a demon had put her in this state, of course before that none of them were her partners, the thought made her feel nauseous.
" I can't forgive you for this, Lord... I never could. I loved her... how could you do this to me... ? After everything I've done for you ? "
She found herself leaning against the bed with her back, her knees drawn up to her chest to bury her face in them. And she cried, cried a lot, for hours, until her chest, her stomach and her throat hurt. Her tears were almost burning her cheeks with how much they flowed.
She was too used to having Dagon in her life now, how could she just go back to her old life like nothing happened ? They had plans for a new life, to leave the three of them and live quietly far from the earth and the problems that came with it. All these plans were cut short in an instant.
" I can't forgive you, " she let out again. " I hate you... "
Long silent minutes passed and then she felt it, this strange sensation, the atmosphere became heavy and even quieter than it already was, as if she was in an invisible bubble. She felt watched and knew that this feeling came from God, she could recognize it anywhere so she stood up and directed her gaze towards the gray ceiling of the room.
She doesn't know exactly what happened but she didn't have time to speak before she felt a short discomfort followed by a sudden pain in her stomach that almost made her fall. She didn't know what it was but immediately understood that it wasn't normal at all. Her pain only increased until blood, lots of blood, started running down her legs to the ground and that's when she realized what was happening.
" No... No, no, no, ah ! " she cried out in pain as she fell bare-handed onto the cold ground, before clutching her stomach tightly.
No, that couldn't happen, not after what had already happened earlier...
" No. Not him, not that. Please, Mother ! " She felt like she was being stabbed in her stomach again and again. " He's innocent ! Please ! I'm sorry ! "
She almost felt like an invisible hand was ripping out her insides. She didn't know if it was supposed to hurt this much, she almost felt like something was making her pain worse, like a punishment. As best she could, she managed to remove her pants now soaked with blood, remaining only in the top of her tunic which came down almost to mid-thigh. For several dozen minutes she wailed, whimpered and begged, but no one heard or answered her call.
The pain eventually dissipated but did not disappear, she had lost track of time, whether ten minutes had passed or two hours, she did not know. She managed to slide to the wall on the opposite side of the room to lean against it, leaving behind her a trail of blood where a shapeless mass was also visible, small but visible, which she observed without emotion, it was too much information, her body had as if paused.
" Ramiel... " It was the last word she said before falling asleep, she no longer really had the strength, neither physical nor mental, to resist any longer.
----
She woke up with a start when she heard the trumpets coming from the sky, it seemed so loud that she clapped her hands over her ears, she hated loud noises. It was her signal to go... home. She had nothing else left anyway... The Second Coming was expected in the coming days and she realized that she had spent two days curled up on the floor of hell. She wiped her wet cheeks and struggled to her feet, using the wall behind her for support. She winced at her aching pelvis and legs, still filled with dried streaks of blood. She wobbly walked towards the door, she stopped for a moment in front of it, trying to take a deep breath, before finally unlocking it to leave the dark room without a glance to see what she was leaving inside, it would have been too painful. Dressed only in her long tunic, she managed to find an old, long, worn gray coat lying around to cover herself a little more. She lowered her head and walked away, for the first time she went completely unnoticed in the corridors of hell, her appearance playing a big part in it. Her eyes were red from crying for days and her cheeks were stained with dried tears. Her hands and her beautiful immaculate tunic, covered in dirt and blood, gold and black, nothing surprising or suspicious here below.
She quickly reached the elevator and managed, without really knowing how, to enter it without being noticed, heading towards heaven and really trying not to collapse to the ground. Almost everyone must have gathered after the roll call so she didn't run into anyone, she was lucky, her reputation would have taken a big hit but that's not what she was thinking at that moment. She was tired, exhausted. Her head was aching like hell, her insides feel like they were burning, and she felt terribly nauseous, not the best state for an archangels meeting, and there would be one every day for the next four days. After joining the armory, she managed to find the strength to perform a miracle for new clothes and dipped her hands in one of the holy water fonts present to clean her hands and face. It was strange, she didn't remember that holy water could be hot. No matter, she didn't pay attention to it, she put on her armour, took a deep breath and joined the other archangels while trying to keep a neutral expression.
None of them noticed anything, no one ever noticed anything in fact, they were all standing in line like perfect soldiers. She took her place alongside Uriel and Saraqael and once the last people arrived, the meeting began. However, she quickly lost her concentration. There was a time when she would have actively participated in the discussion, this time she wasn't listening to a word of it, too lost in her thoughts and her questions. What was the point of all this if in the end she was alone ? She felt an emptiness in her heart, an emptiness that even the Second Coming, or any promise of victory, could not fill. Her hand caressed her stomach, which was now empty of something else, and she felt her throat tighten again. She shouldn't cry, she knew she shouldn't, yet she wanted to so badly. It was unfair, her hopes and faith seemed to have died with Dagon and their child, she had lost all ambition.
She was also in the same room as Dagon's attackers at the time, which made it even harder. Was this all part of God's plan or was it just a cruel game ? Was it really worth it...
" ...... second coming and ...Michael ? "
" Excuse me ? "
" Does this plan seem good to you ? " asked the Metatron. " You are the best warrior here, God herself asked you to lead the troops in her name, your opinion matters a lot, " he seemed really proud when speaking.
A fucking joke...
" God herself ? " Michael's voice was low.
" Yes, she is eager for it to begin. However, your opinion is always desired. "
This must be a nightmare, she thought.
" I... I think that... " her gaze swept the room, all heads were turned towards her waiting for her answer, she hadn't even listened to what he had said. " I think that's a good plan. "
" Well that's perfect then, " concluded the Metatron. " I want you all to be ready, at the next trumpet blast it will begin. "
" And with the Sword of God at our side, we have won in advance ! " exclaimed one of the angels in the crowd rather proudly. " Glory to heaven ! Glory to God ! "
" Glory to heaven ! Glory to God ! " they all repeated in unison.
The Sword of God...
No, it was too much for her. This charade had gone on too long, it was too hard to continue. She felt too overwhelmed, she hadn't even had time to grieve or probably even really realize what had happened. Did God really expect her to help her ? To lead her army ? After what happened ? Michael finally realized... she didn't care about them at all... all pawns... all replaceable.
" Amen ! " said all the angels gathered together. All, except one.
" Michael ? " called Saraqael. " Is everything alright- "
Her sentence was cut off, however, by a loud metallic noise that echoed throughout the room. It was Michael's shield, which she had just dropped unceremoniously on that damn white floor, followed by her sword, that sword that was an extension of herself, the one she was always associated with as if she was nobody without it. This sword given by God to fight in her name, kill in her name to ultimately claim to be the protector of humanity but help destroy them... bullshit.
God, God, always God...
What had to be done for her to finally be satisfied ? No matter how much she followed and obeyed all of her stupid rules, in the end she was still the loser. First her brother Lucifer who she had to expel herself, her other brother Gabriel who had been more lucid than her for once and had left before things got out of hand, then her partner followed by her unborn child...
" Fuck God, " she said simply, staring at her weapon on the ground.
A great cold fell in the room followed by several inaudible whispers.
" Wha- Michael. "
" Fuck God ! " she repeated louder as she began to peel off her armour, piece by piece, and everyone took a few steps away reflexively.
" Michael, you can't- " began the Metatron.
" I can't what ?! " she cut him off. " Curse God ? It's already done. I curse and deny God ! From the depths of my being. And you too ! " she spat at him as the rest of her armor fell to the ground, fully releasing her wings.
" Michael ! "
" What's wrong with you ? "
" Pull yourself together. "
So many words at once she didn't know who was saying what anymore.
" You will be arrested for your affront ! " the Metatron warned her.
" Oh yeah ? I challenge anyone here to try to stop me ! "
She glared at them all, and even though she was alone in front of them all, none of them dared to move, everyone knew what she was capable of. She was so angry, if she could talk to God directly she would demand answers no matter what happened to her.
" All that, it’s God’s fault. Where is she anyway ? If she had wanted, she could have prevented this horrible nightmare. All these misunderstandings, these suffering... It's over, I'm tired of wanting to please someone who is eternally absent. "
" Michael, your wings... " Uriel worried as she saw Michael's wings turning gray.
" I don't care ! "
" Please, " said Saraqael. " What happened ? "
" I... " began Michael. " I can't... I can't do this. " She put a hand on her stomach and her anger only grew. " I refuse. It's beyond me. I quit. "
" Are you really going to join the opposing side ? " asked the Metatron from a distance.
" I choose freedom, " she said simply.
She felt the ground give way beneath her feet and contrary to what she had always thought about falling, she was not afraid, had no preconceptions, she had nothing left to lose... so with a slight sad smile on the corner of her lips, she closed her eyes and let the darkness swallow her up. When she wakes up she will be a new person, anything would be better for her than continuing to serve a dictator and maybe after that she can join her brother.