Chapter 263: SERPENTS AND PERSISTENCE

The orbs then reunited and danced at the skies,

And after a while, produced such vivid light.

The light then transformed into a powerful barrier,

That was tasked, to protect the angels and reapers.

And since the angels and reapers are sleeping,

They wouldn't move an inch.

Such strategy of heaven pissed Satan a little bit,

"They really did think through it.

Well, nevermind. I'll still win after time.

If the woman dies, then all the humans will die with her.

Of course even with that inevitable fate, the archangels will still hurry and scramble.

Saving those little rats,

That truly had nothing to offer."

His snake hair suddenly hissed from behind him,

Signalling that someone was too near.

He felt suprised that someone was still daring,

After all, the archangels are too occupied in fighting.

Michael yelled at Dawn loudly,

But was too busy to help.

Not only was he the one fighting Azazel,

But is also burdened by the serpents.

And to run towards him as he wishes,

Will be far too impossible to happen.

None of his brothers could grab Dawn from Satan,

For all of them are fighting for their own lives.

Jegudiel could only cry at the sight,

Regretful that he hadn't kept an eye.

Gabriel tried to walk closer to the young angel,

But the serpents won't let him be.

He managed to dodge just in time,

But it was clear that helping the angel was not a successful try.

Raphael had done the same attempts,

But like his brothers, is unable to help.

They were fighting three serpents each at the moment,

And as strong as they may be,

The task was too much to handle.

"But I don't want to lose another angel,"

Michael said somberly,

As he dreads what could happen.

...

"My, my, aren't you the bravest one?"

Satan taunted, as his gaze was met by Dawn.

The angel was visibly shaking,

yet his eyes continued to stab him.

Such intensity was rare for an angel not even a year old in experience,

Which to Satan, was quite impressive.

"You're so young, but so determined,

You're facing Satan, and you kept a straight face.

I'd give you credit for that.

You're so wonderful, one of a kind."

"I do not wish to be flattered by a manipulator.

Even if I die, I will not submit to a monster."

Dawn said in a strong tone,

And he was sure he pissed Satan with such words.

Satan in turn spoke,

"Just be thankful I'm even talking to you.

If I so wanted, I could certainly kill you.

But you are brave, strong and determined.

Someone...something I just need.

I mean...if you need proof of my efficiency as a leader,

There's a lot of evidence scattered.

Just look around you,

look at what I do best.

I wouldn't be able to go this far,

If your God truly listens."

The serpents continued to terrorize the humans,

Hissing and banging their barriers, 'til they  loudly cry.

Satan only watches. Proudly looking at his plan unfold.

Smirking to himself, wondering how long the humans could hold.

"It's only a matter of time until one of them gives up their faith.

Ah, the chaos to come after is worth the wait."

.

.

.

Hah, well, that was fun, isn't it little one?"

Dawn suddenly felt a shiver crawl down his spine.

Despite it, he remained still and calm,

Scared, but not too afraid to bow down.

Satan then wiped the blood from his hair,

And in a split second, turned into Lucifer's face.

His snake hair had also disappeared,

And Lucifer's long black hair returned,

Although blood-smeared.

He then recalled the events that happened before,

The pain of being lifted and bitten by the dragon.

That urged him to summon a sharp sword,

For that same grave mistake and occurence, he cannot afford.

He cuts Lucifer's hair, neck-length.

So when he transforms back,

The snakes wouldn't be a problem.

"I was so distracted by the pain.

That I forgot my abilities back then.

But now that it won't be a hassle,

You can throw all the dragons you like,

And I would be able to kill them."

He proudly threatened,

Fully knowing that the angel won't join him.

He could sense a strong and firm loyalty in the young one,

And even if it's a waste to kill a half-demon,

he knew it should be done.

He sighed a deep sigh however,

and convinced himself to smile.

After all,

Whoever is useless to him, should die.

"As all the loyal angels are,

You won't go back without a fight.

Would rather die in a war,

Than give out their honor to join my side.

And I'll make you regret that."

But the angel only laughed.

His laugh had sent the same chills on the demon's spine,

With him only feeling anxietic,

Not truly understanding why.

How and why so that an angel not even as strong as his weakened state,

Make him shiver and contemplate?

"I think the word 'regret' fits you more, snake-head.

Even if I end up badly beaten, maybe dead,

I know how this war will end.

It's you, scared and wondering where you went wrong,

Waiting for our heroes to end you with a finishing blow.

The angels will then sing our triumph songs,

That speaks of the defeated monster who reigned for so long.

You're right, you are strong, scary and cunning.

But no matter what you think of yourself,

You'll still be beaten.

We have God.

And you only have your selfish delusions.

I don't care if you kill me,

But good will never bow to evil."

"You're too full of yourself,

You must be forgetting, you're talking to the first Devil!"

"Ah, yes. I'm talking to the first fool in heaven,

Should I be honored then?"

Satan boiled with rage,

And harshly gritted his teeth.

"Fine. Even if you're a little kid,

I'd go all out,

Until you're sliced to bits."

...

Asmodeus gave up trapping and killing more of Satan's serpents,

He decided so, after seeing a much worse threat.

He didn't even thought twice running towards the tower,

With Lluming, doing the same thing as well.

The archangel, after making sure that his brothers and humans are safe,

Decided that he had none left to protect-

more than the woman keeping them all alive,

Sellena, who is gravely endangered and unable to fight.

"That snake is too big for my chains to trap at once,"

Asmodeus commented as Lluming think of a plan.

...

Meanwhile, Dawn's eyes suddenly glowed a vivid purple,

And appeared from the bored ground,

several water monsters.

"Ah, Leviathan's former summons.

But I heard, they hated, fire..."

Satan quickly opens his palms to release a strong blaring heat,

But Dawn's confidence,

erased his summons' fears.

Satan fought the dragons, dodging tirelessly,

But even with being occupied,

tried another strategy.

He ordered a snake from Ken's wrist,

to sneak and bite the angel, to a temporary sleep.

And since the distracted Dawn cannot burn poison like Ken,

The seer worries of what may happen next.

He tried to shout but the dragon's noises muffled his screams,

And so, he had no other choice to make,

And no other option to try and see.

Even if he feels powerless at the moment,

Heavily drained from the poisonous trap and torment,

He bit his tongue hard as he pulled his limbs with his own raw strength,

Determined to get out,

and help the angel from its forthcoming fate.

His tears blurred his vision, as his muscles tore,

But no matter the pain, he kept going on.

The snakes hissed and bit him so his strength would deplete,

But he continued to make it known,

that Satan can't always do as he please.

He begged God for more strength,

And begged his own self.

"Don't give up, not now Ken.

Not now that someone's close to death."

He yelled as he pulls himself from the snakes' hold.

Clearly feeling his tendons and bones.

The cracks echoed in his mind like explosions,

But even with the urge to stop,

he continued to pull.

It was horrifying, and something he never thought he'd do in his life.

But complaining was at the back of his mind.

The child he named himself, should survive.

Or else, what use was his mother's sacrifice?

"Almost...there."

And after a persistent pull,

His limbs came off,

and it was his turn to battle.

...

Martha had a bad feeling all of a sudden,

As her mind thought back to Ken.

She bit her lip and continued to sound the bell,

Wanting to distract herself,

of whatever bad thoughts she may think at the moment.

But after a while, she discovered it was impossible,

As the monsters' growls, reminded her of the first time they were together.

She then cried, missing the peaceful nights she once experienced,

But her grief was replaced by alarm,

when she heard the monsters, closing their distance.