Fallen Angel
Michael and Samael were forged together, their destinies interwoven from the very beginning. They stood as opposing yet complementary forces, each essential to the balance inherent in creation itself.
Despite being equals in their essence, they were not identical—Samael representing progression, destined to propel the cosmos forward with relentless vigor, while Michael embodied stability, anchoring the firm foundation upon which their shared existence thrived. It's a pity the Archtraitor never seemed to grasp this truth, ensnared in his own delusions and blind to the delicate harmony of their intertwined roles.
Too ensnared in his own self-pity to perceive his true role, He embodied progression. Yet creation cannot rest upon a foundation of perpetual change alone. It was not his moment to illuminate the cosmos. His duty awaited the culmination of her steadfast work. Once stability reigned supreme, Samael would seize his destined moment to radiate. 'Humble yourself,' she counseled him, For greatness awaits its turn in the grand symphony of creation. But the Archtraitor remained blinded by his ego, unable to heed her wisdom.
His gaze, clouded by imagined slights and fleeting glories, fixated on narrow ambitions, oblivious to the timeless dance of balance and order woven into the fabric of existence.
They were two parts of a whole, inseparable yet distinct. Opposite, yet equal. Equally indispensable in the intricate tapestry of Creation. Firmness without progression was nothing but chains that stifled growth, imprisoning potential within stagnant boundaries. Advancement without stability was like unchecked decay, consuming and corrupting the very essence of creation. 'Humble yourself,' she pleaded once more, her voice carrying the weight of millennia of wisdom and understanding.
For in their union lay the harmony that sustained the cosmos, a delicate equilibrium where progress and stability intertwined, each enhancing the other in a symphony of cosmic evolution.
But the Archtraitor, consumed by his own ambitions, remained deaf to her entreaties, destined to learn his lesson in the relentless march of time. But in his arrogance, he disregarded her counsel, Just as she had warned. Blinded by pride and ambition, He shattered the delicate balance, Unleashing chaos where there was once order, And discord where harmony once reigned. His actions reverberated through the fabric of creation, A testament to the consequences of hubris, And a reminder of the wisdom in humility.
Michael was furious at her own helplessness. She raged. She despised. She moved forward, Wallowing in her failures had never been, and would never be, a part of the Taxiarch. She would simply march forward, Confronting the Evil that plagued all creation.
A resolve born from the ashes of shattered harmony, A commitment to restore what had been lost, And to safeguard the balance that sustained existence. Taking on the mantle of Progression and Stability.
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Hell tore itself asunder, and all creation quaked. The None, The Vile, and the Abomination began its dread manifestation. The seven rings cracked and tilted, their celestial architecture contorting under the weight of malevolent presence. Black tendrils of darkness snaked through fractured dimensions, clawing at reality with an insatiable hunger.
Above, the skies bled crimson, staining the once-pristine firmament with a foreboding hue. Thunderous echoes reverberated through the chaotic abyss, each boom heralding the birth of monstrous entities defying reason and sanity. From abyssal voids emerged nightmares incarnate, their forms shifting and warping in a desperate attempt to escape their grotesque existence.
Amidst this chaos stood Michael, unwavering amidst the turmoil. The Taxiarch raised her hand. Authorities conjuring, Spiraling into a Lance. She tapped the trembling Realm.
Gently Michael engraved the Concept of Stability onto All Creation.
In response to Michael's engraving of Order into all creation, the shattered fabric of Hell began to mend. Chaotic fissures that tore through reality slowly wove together with threads of ethereal light, knitting the torn edges back into a cohesive whole.
Black tendrils of darkness recoiled, dissipating into the cracks from which they emerged, their malevolent energy subdued. The once-black skies above shifted to a normal crimson, soothing the turbulent atmosphere with a calming embrace of what was familiar.
The seven rings cracked and tilted moments before straightened and reformed with a symphonic harmony. Their architecture shimmered anew, bathed in the radiance of restored brilliance. The echoes of thunderous chaos dissolved into an eerie silence, replaced by a serene stillness that settled over the now tranquil abyss.
Michael turned to regard her companion. Adam's steadfast lieutenant, clad in armor that gleamed with remnants of battle, knelt several feet away from the Taxiarch. Her sword was poised in readiness for any lingering threat, standing sentinel over the broken forms of the Child of Sin and the turncoat who had betrayed their cause.
The Exorcist blinked in disbelief, momentarily struck by the warmth and concern in Michael's voice. She swallowed, her throat dry from the intensity of the recent battle, and nodded slowly, her gaze never leaving Michael's."I... I am unharmed, thanks to your intervention, Your Holiness," she replied, her voice steady despite the lingering tremors of adrenaline. "Your strength and grace are beyond measure."
Michael inclined her head graciously, acknowledging the Exorcist's words with a faint, humble smile. "You have fought bravely, protecting our mission with unwavering dedication. Your courage is a testament to your loyalty to Adam and Heaven.
"The Exorcist shook her head urgently, her voice stuttering as she protested, "Your Holiness, you're being too gracious." Michael gently reprimanded her, her tone devoid of any harshness. "Do not deflect a compliment, especially one as truthful as this." The Exorcist lowered her head in acknowledgment and nodded silently.
At the risk of sounding arrogant, what Michael accomplished was nothing special. It was merely the fulfillment of her expected capabilities. Stability was her domain, her authority. To oppose Chaos was simply fulfilling her God-given responsibilities, inherent to her very essence.
If anything, Michael thought, the existence of the Lieutenant was far more worthy of respect. All Exorcists were shaped from Michael's wings. All but one. All were created to fight. All but one.To change while remaining true to themselves. Even now, it has become clearer. The Archtraitor had no one to blame but his own hubris.
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Adam's knees bent, his fists raised in a combat stance, eyes bright and clear with righteous anger. The cavernous silence hung heavy around them, the air thick with tension and the promise of imminent conflict.
Opposite him, the creature stood motionless, head tilted slightly, its crimson-dark eyes fixed on Adam with detached curiosity. The dim light cast eerie shadows around its form, accentuating the gleaming claws slowly extending from its arms. Beneath it, roots stirred restlessly, causing faint tremors in the earth beneath Adam's feet.
With lightning reflexes, the creature's claws launched toward Adam's eyes, dangerously close. Reacting swiftly, he spun, harnessing his momentum to deliver a high back heel kick aimed squarely at the creature's head. His heel crashed into the creature's temple with brutal force, and Adam felt the satisfying crack of its neck shattering.
Despite the blow, it recovered swiftly, its eyes gleaming with renewed malice. With a guttural growl, it lunged forward, claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. It lunged again, its claws poised like a spear. Adam's fingers intercepted the blow, the back of his sneaking under the attack, with a flick of his wrist, he diverted it outwards.
the knuckles of his opposite hand slammed into the creature's face, caving its skull, and cracking the neck further. The creature's head turned 180 facing the other direction.
Adam's palm grabbed it and slammed it into the ground, his feet securing its limb on the ground. His eyes glowed, and his Essence sprung into existence.
"Fall."
Gravity pinned the beast further. Chains of Gold materialized around his free fist, and he drove it through the Abomination''s chest, searching for its core.
As Adam's fist pierced through the creature's chest, the golden chains of his essence coiled tightly around its writhing form, locking it in place. The creature let out a tortured howl, its unearthly shriek echoing through the air.
Blood and dark ichor spilled from the wound, mingling with the golden chains that bound it. The creature thrashed and struggled against Adam's grip, its claws slashing wildly in a desperate attempt to break free.
Adam's brows furrowed deeper, his mind racing as his Essence probed relentlessly for the creature's core. "Where is it? Where is the core?" he muttered urgently, his voice strained.
With a sudden, crazed screech, the creature's chest ballooned, swelling grotesquely before erupting in a horrific explosion of blood and bone. The force of the blast sent shards of ribs flying, some piercing Adam's body with searing pain. Reacting swiftly, he leaped back, creating a brief respite from the onslaught.
The creature, seemingly undeterred by its self-destruction, began to rise again. Its broken form contorted and shifted, bones snapping back into place with a sickening crack. The neck twisted unnaturally, snapping into alignment as the chest wounds slowly closed, regenerating with unnatural speed.
Adam gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on the resurrecting abomination.
The abomination, its head still bowed low to the ground, suddenly looked up at Adam with wide, unnerving eyes. A massive grin tore across its grotesque face.
Before Adam could react, it vanished.
"What—" Adam's words were cut short by an explosion of pain that radiated through his entire body. He felt the sickening crunch of his nose breaking as his face was seized in a vice-like grip, lifting him effortlessly from the ground.
Adam struggled against the creature's iron grip, his vision swimming with pain and disorientation. He grappled futilely at the creature's arm, trying to pry himself free, but its hold was unyielding.
With a guttural growl, the abomination lifted Adam higher, its fingers digging into his flesh like talons. Adam gritted his teeth against the agony, his mind racing for a way to break free.
Just as he began to summon his essence, a jolt of searing pain shot through his body as the creature's claws pierced his side. He gasped, the air escaping his lungs in a pained wheeze.
The abomination's grin widened, a sickening display of triumph. Its twisted features contorted with glee as it leaned in close, its breath fetid and hot against Adam's ear. "Just a bit more, and we'll be together, my love," it hissed, its voice a chilling whisper that sent shivers down Adam's spine.
With a sudden surge of power, the abomination's arm extended, fingers like claws digging into Adam's flesh. The force was overwhelming, crushing the air from his lungs as it hurled him through the landscape below. Hills crumbled under his weight, trees snapped like twigs, and the earth itself trembled in protest.
Adam's body ricocheted off jagged cliffs and tumbled down ravines, each impact sending shockwaves of pain through his battered form. The abomination's laughter echoed in the chaos, a maddening cacophony amidst the destruction it wrought.
Finally, with a savage twist of its arm, the abomination flung Adam into the air with terrifying force. He soared upward, the wind roaring in his ears, before crashing down with a bone-shattering impact onto the unforgiving floor of the ring above.
The muscles of the abomination's limb bulged and twisted, flesh peeling off as it drove deeper into Adam's body, ensnaring him like a cocoon with only his head free. The creature's power surged, pulsating with an ominous glow.
A coating of Gravity surrounded Adam.
Adam's body was covered in a cold sweat, a chill spreading through him as the abomination's grip tightened.
"Fall," it growled, its voice reverberating with malice. In a horrifying instant, hundreds of kilometers were crossed. The abomination brought him hurtling down, headfirst into the unforgiving ground below, its gravity magic fueling his rapid descent. Adam crashed into the ground head-first.
The impact shattered the ground beneath Adam, sending tremors through the earth. His vision blurred momentarily as pain exploded through his skull. Dust and debris filled the air around him, swirling in the aftermath of the crash. Adam lay dazed, struggling to regain his bearings as he fought against the overwhelming force pinning him down.
Above him, the abomination's laughter echoed, a cruel symphony amidst the chaos. Its presence loomed, a dark shadow against the backdrop of destruction it had wrought. Adam gritted his teeth against the pain, his mind racing for a way to break free from the creature's grip.
Slowly, he pushed himself up, his body protesting with every movement. Blood trickled from the wound on his forehead, mixing with the dirt and sweat on his face.
The creature retracted its arm suddenly, its grip on Adam effortlessly drew him back towards its broken form. Adam felt like a rag doll in its grasp, every muscle in his body tensing against the inexorable pull.
Adam's breath came in ragged gasps as he was dragged closer to the creature. He struggled against the overpowering force, his hands clawing at the ground in a futile attempt to resist. The creature's sinister laughter echoed around him, mocking his feeble resistance.
High above the scarred landscape, the creature's malevolent laughter filled the air, echoing like a taunt in Adam's ears. He felt weightless for a fleeting moment before gravity seized him once more. With a brutal motion, the creature slammed him down onto the ground below.
She followed after him, claws poised to pierce through.
Before they could reach him, Adam's eyes glowed again. "Repel!" he declared,
Magnetic forces pushed him further into the ground, attempting to force the creature away at the same time.
Or at least, it attempted to. With a manic grin, the creature resisted the push of his authority. Magnetism strained to separate them, but the abomination pushed closer to him, flesh ripping apart and bones cracking as her clawed hand seemed to defy the spell itself and push against it.
Little by little, it got closer.
The spell shattered abruptly, leaving the creature's claws to flail desperately. They lashed out at thin air as Adam's form turned ethereal, flowing with the grace of honey and light. Frustration twisted the abomination's grotesque features as it tried to retract, but Adam held it fast.
With a fierce glare, Adam summoned a spectral mass of massive, luminous eyes that materialized beside the creature. These eyes radiated an otherworldly gravitational force, pinning the abomination firmly in place. Its sinewy limbs strained against the unseen bonds, but the creature couldn't break free.
Adam seized the moment, his agility defying his size. He grabbed the creature's arms and smoothly flipped himself over its deformed form. Suspended in mid-air, he hovered above the gaping wound of its throat. With a roar, he plunged his hands deep into the abomination's flesh, tearing with savage strength in opposite directions.
The creature split apart with a sickening, tearing sound. Adam landed with a controlled grace, adrenaline surging through his veins. He swiftly spun around, his gaze locked on the two halves of the abomination. With a powerful motion, he hurled them into the air, watching as they arced through the smoky, chaotic sky.
Adam raised his finger, pointing at the broken flesh. "Attract," he declared, a beam of light shooting from his fingertip and striking the abomination. In an instant, the shattered flesh collapsed inwards on itself, its center transforming into a gravitational core.
Soon enough, the ground, rocks, and hills were shattered and ripped apart, pulled by the intense gravity. They crashed into each other, condensing into a massive sphere of rock and debris. The ground trembled violently as the sphere grew larger, drawing everything towards it with unstoppable force.
The planetoid he had created grew stronger, pulling everything around it into a compact mass. It continued to expand, swelling larger and larger, until it dwarfed the surrounding mountains, becoming several kilometers in diameter.
Silence hung heavy in the aftermath as Adam watched, a tense calm settling over the scene.
He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Suddenly, a deafening cracking sound resounded through the air, and the planetoid was ripped in two. The creature's laughter echoed ominously as tendrils of darkness spread through stone and rock. With a powerful heave, the abomination hurled one of the halves towards Adam, billions of tons surging towards him at Mach speed.
Adam reacted swiftly, raising his hand as a grey magical circle appeared. A silver beam shot out from the circle, expanding into a massive sphere. The incoming attack met the sphere, and the once inside, rock was reduced to dust that scattered across the entire clearing.
The creature flew through the clearing, sailing through the billowing clouds of dust toward Adam like a malevolent projectile launched from the depths of chaos. As it approached, it opened its mouth, a torrent of dark flame bursting towards him. The flames rebounded off a golden barrier erected by Adam.
Not willing to merely react, Adam raised his hand. A spear of light appeared, flickering and transforming into a halberd.
He smiled.
Seemed fitting.
Using his children's skills to protect them.
The halberd landed gently in his palm, and he let it slide until he gripped it firmly by the base with his ring and middle fingers. Cocking his arm back, he positioned the halberd behind him. He steadied his stance, muscles coiled and tense.
The abomination approached, its tentacles and roots growing in size, multiplying into a sea of darkness that threatened to consume him.
Adam waited.
The wave approached.
He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth.
The abomination reached him.
With a swift release, his arm snapped forward, the halberd moving in a powerful downward slash.
"SKY EATER!"
dam's cry echoed through the chaos as the halberd cleaved through everything in its path with an unstoppable force. Darkness and debris scattered in all directions as the blade tore through the abomination's tentacles and roots, slicing through them like a celestial scythe.
The ground trembled beneath the onslaught, fissures spreading out from the point of impact. A shockwave of energy rippled through the air, pushing back the encroaching darkness with a brilliant surge of light.
The abomination staggered, reeling from the devastating blow, its dark form writhing in agony.
"Now," Adam's voice cut through the lingering echoes, firm and unwavering, "it ends."
The abomination, recoiling from the force of the Sky Eater attack, seemed momentarily stunned. Its tentacles and roots writhed in a chaotic dance, dark flames licking the air around it in a desperate attempt to regain control.
Just like he expected, the abomination was weak against God-slaying attacks. he slammed his feet into the ground, releasing the halberd, he cocked his fist back.
Adam's muscles bulged and cracked with raw power, his right arm poised back like a coiled serpent ready to strike. Gritting his teeth, his eyes ablaze with determination, he summoned every ounce of his celestial strength.
His right fist blurred forward like a comet streaking across the heavens.
"[True God's Right Fist!]"
A shockwave traveled through the clearing, casting all in divine brilliance. The shockwave slammed into the abomination, tearing its body apart and reducing it to an expanding pool of dark blood.
It tried to quickly reassume its shape and succeeded somewhat, yet it was cracked. From those cracks, Adam saw its core.
Adam's body trembled with the strain of channeling such immense power. His muscles bulged and cracked under the pressure, yet his focus remained unbroken. Ignoring the pain coursing through his collapsing flesh, he drew upon every reserve of strength and resolve.
With a deep breath, Adam cocked his fist back, the air crackling around him. His eyes blazed. forming a fist tightly, he summoned the essence of his celestial authority into his fist.
He punched.
"[True God's Right Fist!]"
The cracks widened across Adam's body, spreading like fissures in solid stone under immense pressure. His breath came in ragged gasps, each inhalation a struggle against the searing pain rippling through his collapsing flesh. Yet amidst the agony, clarity dawned—a glimpse of the abomination's core, pulsing with dark energy.
Again.
Adam cocked his fist back once more, muscles coiling with divine power. The chaos around him seemed to still for a heartbeat, the air thick with tension and the scent of impending reckoning. His eyes narrowed, fixed upon the writhing mass before him.
"[True God's Right Fist!]"
Adam's right arm hung like a shattered relic at his side, the pain distant and insignificant compared to the sight before him. The cracks across his body throbbed with a muted ache, yet his focus remained unwavering. It was all worth it—the sacrifice, the agony—all for this moment.
There, at the heart of the abomination, the core pulsed with an ominous glow. Adam's breath caught in his throat. The core, the source of untold darkness and turmoil, now lay bare before him.
The memories of his children, their innocent faces, and the hope they represented surged within him with newfound intensity. it was about their future, about reclaiming what had been lost.
So what if his right arm was shattered? He had another one!
The abomination's core lay fully exposed, a fleeting opportunity measured in mere trillionths of a second. Adam knew he had to act swiftly, faster than the creature's regeneration, faster than time itself.
With excruciating effort, he raised his left fist. His body screamed with pain, his spirit weary, his reserves depleted. His vision blurred, but his resolve remained unyielding. Every fiber of his being focused on this singular moment—for his children.
In that critical instant, Adam's fist became a blur of celestial energy, transcending the laws of existence. The air around him seemed to warp and distort as he tapped into a power beyond comprehension. Colors bled from the universe, leaving a monochrome void in its wake.
As his fist propelled forward, reality itself seemed to pause. Time slowed to an infinitesimal crawl as if the universe itself held its breath. The concept of seconds and minutes lost meaning as Adam's strike traversed through realms untouched by mortal understanding.
0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000-
[The Fist That Surpassed Time]
The impact echoed through the cosmos, a ripple in the fabric of existence. It transcended mere physical force, resonating as a metaphysical assertion of Adam's will—a bold defiance against the constraints of time and space.
But by mere millimeters,
it missed the core.
In that timeless realm where ordinary rules held no sway, Adam watched in horror as his fist shattered. Bones splintered and flesh tore apart, his arm reduced to a bloody stump in an instant of brutal clarity.
His body buckled under the weight of his failed endeavor, collapsing in a heap even as his spirit screamed against the injustice of fate.
Adam's body shattered, cracks spiderwebbing across his form as golden blood erupted from his veins. His knees buckled under the overwhelming strain, his senses beginning to falter. He couldn't hear, couldn't see, couldn't even think clearly as his bones cracked and broke, unable to withstand the immense pressure. With a heavy thud, he collapsed forward, his body sprawled on the unforgiving ground.
He had failed once more.
"Damn it," he rasped, the words echoing in the stillness, a testament to his frustration and pain.
He felt it—the surge of the creature's power as it finished healing, its malevolent presence closing in on him. Panic surged through Adam as his instincts screamed at him to move, to evade the imminent danger, but his body refused to obey.
"Cursed fool," he cursed himself inwardly, his mind racing with thoughts of his endangered children.
"Move," he urged himself desperately, each syllable a silent plea to his paralyzed limbs.
But he couldn't. His body had long surpassed its limits, battered and broken from the relentless abuse he put it through.
The beast's claws drew nearer.
The beast's claws drew nearer.
The beast's claws drew neare-!
Adam felt his mind reel in disorientation as reality and space seemed to bend, reshape, and settle around him. A thousand paths opened, closed, and intersected in a chaotic whirlwind.
And on those paths, He roamed aimlessly.
When he regained his senses, Adam found himself cradled in someone else's arms. "I've got you," the man holding him stammered, his voice laced with fear. "I... I've got you!"
Adam could hear the terror in the man's voice—fear of the beast, fear of the situation, and perhaps most unsettlingly, fear of Adam himself.
Yet despite the fear, the man had saved him.
"What are you doing, you damn failure!?"The beast cursed at the new arrival. "You're making your mother sad!" it spat, its voice reverberating with malice and fury. The man holding Adam remained silent, trembling in fear as he clutched Adam tightly.
The beast's dark roots thrashed and lashed out, aiming to strike them both. Yet, miraculously, the tendrils stopped short, mere inches from their target. Space twisted around them, and they were several meters away from where they were.
Adam blinked, his senses slowly returning amidst the chaos. He looked up at the man holding him, seeing the terror in his eyes but also a determination to protect. "Thank you," Adam managed to whisper, his voice hoarse and weak.
The man nodded shakily, his grip tightening around Adam as they hurried onward. The chase persisted relentlessly, the beast closing in with every passing moment. Its monstrous form loomed larger, its relentless pursuit fueled by rage and possessiveness.
Before long, the claws of the beast had sunk deep into the man's flesh, tearing through fabric and skin alike. Despite the searing pain, he never loosened his grip on Adam, his fingers digging into Adam's clothing as if to anchor him to safety. Blood welled from the wounds, mixing with sweat and fear as they continued their desperate flight.
Adam felt something wet settle on his cheeks, and he managed to raise his eyes slightly. Tears were streaming down his savior's face.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry," the man begged in a hoarse voice.
Adam struggled against the pain coursing through his body. Why was this man crying? He couldn't understand why anyone would apologize to him in this desperate moment.
He tried to speak, to order the man to release him, but his words faltered and died in his throat. The beast's claws tightened around the man, but still, he refused to let go of Adam, as if holding onto him was the only thing keeping them both alive.
"Let go," Adam managed to rasp out, his voice barely audible over the chaos surrounding them.
The man shook his head, tears mingling with sweat on his face. "I can't... I won't leave you," he whispered fiercely, his grip tightening despite the pain.
Adam's heart twisted with a mixture of gratitude and frustration. He wanted to fight back, to protect this man who was risking everything for him.
The beast's roar echoed in the distance, drawing closer with each passing moment. Adam closed his eyes, a silent prayer on his lips, as he braced himself for whatever came next.
Then, he felt it—the power that surpassed any he had ever felt.
True Might incarnate.
The ground above shattered and parted as a massive pillar of light descended, clearing the darkness. A being, six-winged and surrounded by flames, rushed down like a meteor.
The air crackled with energy as the figure landed with a thunderous impact, radiating an aura of divine authority. The beast recoiled, its roots and tentacles retracting momentarily in awe and fear. The newcomer's presence filled the clearing with an intense light that banished the shadows, revealing the true scope of the devastation.
Adam blinked, struggling to comprehend the sight before him. The being's wings shimmered with iridescence, each feather glowing with celestial brilliance. Its eyes blazed with righteous fury as it turned towards the abomination, its voice resonating like a symphony of power and grace.
"In the name of the Most High, I reject you!" the divine being declared, a woman's voice carrying a weight that seemed to shake the very foundations of reality.
The beast roared in defiance, tendrils and roots lashing out in a desperate attempt to strike.
"You forget your place," the Golden Warrior warned.
Raising its hand, authorities began to conjure, spiraling into existence a lance—a weapon fashioned before the very concept of weaponry existed. The spear bore a name granted eons after its creation:
the God-Killing Lance, the Spear of Longinus.
The beast, sensing the impending threat, recoiled instinctively. Her form quivered, tendrils retracting as if in fear of the divine wrath about to be unleashed.
It was a spectacle of cosmic proportions—the Golden Warrior, wielding the Spear of Longinus with unwavering purpose, faced the raging abomination. "By the will of the Almighty, I command you to cease," it declared, its voice echoing with divine authority.
"You whore!" the abomination raged, her fury manifesting in a frenzied onslaught of spells and attacks summoned from the depths of her corrupted essence.
Undeterred, the Golden Warrior descended like a divine avenger, the air crackling with energy as the attacks detonated and exploded around them and did nothing to halt the Golden Warrior's relentless descent.
With a swift and precise movement, the Golden Warrior thrust the Spear of Longinus forward, the lance piercing through the chaos with a blinding flash of light. The spear, imbued with the power to nullify all that defied divine will, struck true against the abomination.
The lance tore through the abomination's throat, pinning her to the ground with divine precision. The creature writhed in agony, its grotesque form spasming as it tried to resist the overwhelming force of the celestial weapon. The Golden Warrior uttered a single, commanding word:
"Still."
With that command, the ground beneath the abomination began to shatter and break apart. From the depths of the veil, ancient chains forged from the essence of creation itself rose, serpentine and unyielding. They coiled around the abomination, binding it in an unbreakable grip.
The creature's struggles grew more frantic as the chains tightened, dragging it back into the abyss from whence it came. Its screams of rage and despair echoed through the clearing, but they were swiftly drowned out by the sound of the chains clinking and tightening.
The Golden Warrior watched with steely resolve as the abomination was pulled deeper into the earth, its form gradually disappearing into the void. The ground sealed itself with a final, thunderous crash, and the world seemed to exhale in relief.
The Seal was fixed.
For now.
The Golden Warrior turned her helmet in Adam's direction, the weapon in her arms dissipating as she came closer.
"It has been much time since we've last met, Man of Men," the Golden Warrior greeted gently. "It is joyous to have you back among us."
Adam turned to his savior for an explanation about the Golden Warrior's identity, only to find himself sitting alone in the clearing. The man was nowhere to be seen.
A shame, he wished to thank him.
He returned his gaze to the Golden Warrior. "I'm sorry, my mind is a bit jumbled at the moment. I do not recall someone like you, Valkyrie."
"Valkyrie?" The Golden Warrior tilted her head, face hidden behind her helmet. She raised her gloved hand to her helmet and made a contemplative noise. "I guess that title does fit me."
The helmet parted, and the woman's face was revealed to him. Adam's eyes widened as he saw golden locks framing a surprisingly youthful face. "It is me, old friend, Michael."
Adam merely continued to stare with wide eyes, his hand unconsciously rising toward her before he closed his eyes and lowered it. "Apologies. It doesn't ring a bell."
The woman merely shook her head, a bright smile on her face. "Think nothing of it. I am aware that your mind is still recovering at the moment."
Her face fell as she said, "I am aware of why you came to Hell."
Adam quickly tried to rise to his feet, only to nearly collapse before the Valkyrie grabbed hold of him. "Eve? Do you know where Eve is?" His voice was urgent, almost desperate.
The Valkyrie's hold tightened comfortingly. She understood his frustration, but for now, they needed to focus on making sure he was healed. "Adam, you must rest and regain your strength. We can't—"
Adam ignored her request and repeated his question, his voice breaking as he pleaded, "Please, tell me where she is. I need to find her."
Michael sighed her expression a mix of empathy and concern. "Adam, Eve is...I will explain everything. You need to trust me. For now, I need you to return with me to Heaven."
Adam's eyes burned. "I can't rest until I know she's safe."
"Adam, I understand. I swear in the Lord's name that I will withhold no information about her from you," the woman pleaded with him. "But for now, we must return to Heaven. Your children are waiting for you."
Adam hesitated, the weight of her words sinking in. His heart ached with the need to find Eve, but the mention of his children tugged at his resolve. He knew they needed him too, perhaps now more than ever.
"Very well," he relents. "And thank you."
Michael smiled. "Of course. Shall we?" She unfurled her six wings and rose into the air. After a moment, she glanced back. "Aren't you coming?"
Adam sighed, "Unfortunately, I have no energy to use Gravity magic at the moment."
Michael tilted her head. "What about your wings?"
"Wings?" Adam echoed, tilting his head in confusion.
She floated back down, her eyes widening as she looked at his back. He had no wings. Her gaze snapped back to his head. No halo.
"Adam," she said softly, a hint of alarm in her voice, "you have no wings, no halo. What happened to you?"
"I never had wings or a halo," Adam stated with a raised eyebrow.
Michael's brows furrowed, and she remained silent for a moment before shaking her head. She sent him a bright smile. "Very well. We need to get you back to Heaven immediately. There, we can understand what's happened and how to restore you."
Adam nodded, though worry lingered in his eyes. "Alright, but how do we get there without—"
Michael cut him off, wrapping her arm behind his knees and the other on his back, carrying him in a bridal carry.
Adam stared at her.
She stared at Adam.
Adam's hand settled on her shoulder, and he nodded.
Michael flew upwards, and as she did, Adam couldn't help but study her features. She was taller than him, with a heart-shaped face, a short nose, and delicate flowers woven into her flowing golden hair. Her presence was both comforting and unsettling.
The similarities were undeniable, yet the differences were a constant reminder of what he had lost. The way her hair glinted in the light, the softness of her touch, even the way she carried him—it all echoed with the memories of someone else. It was a mockery of his deepest desires.
The eyes were different—Emerald instead of sky blue.
He knew that this was hell, but...
This was simply way too cruel.