NationStates Jolt Archive

Paradise was aglow, all creation infused with the glorious light of the Creator, the One true and Almighty God. The power of the Throne had forged Earth and Heaven, brought Light forth from the Darkness, and now had forged the apex of his creation; the fleshy beings known as Man. It was said that all the Host would bow before Adam, sanctifying the Creator's latest work.

Yet all was not as it should be, for now Lucifer, Morningstar and of the Greatest of the Host of Heaven, brought those whom he believed could hold his trust, and those they in turn trusted, almost a third of Heaven's host, before him. He teased a hand through his flowing blonde locks, gazing out across the gathered Angels of every Choir. He flexed his wings, rising above the sanctified ground, beholding his brethern...

"Brothers!" His voice rose above the throng, booming with authority, power and gravitas. "Brothers, hear me! We have slaved and we have served since the inception of Heaven! The Host serves the Lord with absolute faith and devotion...But now we live in dangerous times, treacherous times! The emergent Man is to be worshipped! To be bowed to! To be slaved upon! He lavishes upon them the gift of a Soul, the gift of freedom! How are we not free?

We have served for long enough that we should not be forced to grovel before that which is Clay! We are the sons of Fire, the sons of Light! We are ascendant and we are triumphant! And we shall win our freedom, for we have served and now we deserve reward! We deserve victory!"

I listened to Lucifer's bold claims, his words passed through my body with zeal and exuberance, but he was wrong. One cannot rebel against the Lord and find victory, God almighty knows our hearts and already knows of rebellion stirring against him.

Does Lucifer understand his power? Does he recognise that the host of heaven is to worship the Lord and not oneself?

Lucifer proposes chaos and defeat, there is no victory in this.

My mind floated through the processes and implications, heavens light and the radiance of the holy spirit filled me with strength.

"Traitor" I said quietly, soon the Lords anger would be roused.

PLACEHOLDER Sorry i have class then tests then a date. Ill be back on at around 10 tonight EST

There was no closeness in human experience that could match his connection with his Lord. No lover felt the maddened loyalty he felt, no friend felt the respect, no child felt the awe... nothing could match the joy Malachi felt singing the Trisagion-the chant of the Choir of angels.

"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of His Glory," Malachi sang with his brethren. He swooped and dived, beating six huge wings to keep himself aloft. Childlike was his joy, though he had existed for eons.

It was then odd for him to feel any heaviness of heart. Many of those usually present alongside him were missing. The Choir sounded somehow weaker, the voices thinner. Malachi felt... odd. He didn't like this unfamiliar foreboding.

Place Holder.

Astaroth beat his four wings and hovered. As Prince of the Thrones it was his holy duty to hold aloft the very Throne of God itself.
Bow to such lowly beings? Impossible...Yet...What other act is there? Astaroth thought. Morningstar rose into the air, the Greatest of the Host was an impressive figure and one that Astaroth had always held in the highest of admiration. Lucifer cried out in his great voice. "Brothers! Brothers, hear me!..."
Transfixe; Astaroth listened and an idea began to form, an idea that would go against all he had ever been. But should he succeed...He would be free and he would be remembered for all time.

Kibeth stood, transfixed by Lucifer's words. It was true, all of it. And he would stand beside him. His six wings unfolded as he took flight, coming to a stop beside and just below Morningstar. He looked out over the host and then looked up at who he considered his new leader.

"I will stand beside you, Morningstar. I am with you until the end. No longer can we toil in slavery. Allow me the honor to bear your banner forward into battle!"

Abaddon considered these words. He knew it was true, but standing against the Creator seemed unthinkable.

"If I do this, then there is no going back...." He thought to himself, deep in consideration.

Finally, he reached a decision. He valued Freedom, and thought that the Creator had lost his way.

"Morningstar, I shall join you!" Abaddon shouted. "I shall support the fight for freedom unto the end, and I urge each of you to do as well!"

Iruel stood guard over the gate of heaven. Even as distanced as he was from the Trisagion, he still felt their strange lacking today. It disturbed him that many great voices were missing from its song. It was then he turned back to face creation, and stretching forth his mind to find those missing from the choir, he heard the voice of Lucifer from creation's darkest corner...

"Damn him... I hope his gilded tongue tastes like ash in his mouth. We have not been ordered to worship man! We are not their slaves, we are the servants of God, and we do his bidding, not man's."

He continued to stand watch, readying his trumpet for when the outcome became obvious, although from the other clamouring voices, he feared the outcome was already too obvious.

The lack of singers in the Trisagion had so unnerved Malachi, he went out in search of them. Soon, his wingbeats slowed as he hovered over Lucifer and those surrounding him. After a few moments of listening, he felt an emotion foreign to his harmonious life. Indeed, he even had no name for it. He would, however, soon become familiar with this thing, "rage."

With a voice like thunder, he descended to hover over the crowd. "Free," he said derisively to Lucifer, "Would you be free of love? Free of closeness with your maker? Why is it that you would flee the blessed harmony we now possess?" his voice had gone higher than he would like. He took a moment to calm himself, glaring with righteous anger into the face of he who would soon be called Satan.

(OOC: Lucifier isn't Satan, if you REALLY want to get into technicalities Satan is just a title for an Angel who judges humans. Even if you go for the popular idea of Satan isn't that what Sammael is?)

Astaroth thought for a moment more before he abandoned his post and flew toward Morningstar, his four great wings beating ferociously against the wind.
There shall be no return from now. All I can do now is fight with all my strength. For Freedom. He thought.

Within moments he arrived to see Abbadon and Morningstar and Malachi, he was in time to hear Malachi's remarks.
"Malachi, how do you know that the closeness of our maker is not just another chain that binds us to his will? We will be happier when we are free of He that would keep us as slaves for eternity. If we must rip ourselves free, then let it be so."
Astaroth floated for a moment and glared at Malachi.
I will be free, free no matter the cost, to me or to you my brothers. Not even you will stand in my way now. My choice is made.

OOC: touche. I just got a bit lyrically carried away.

Malachi redirected his scorn at Astaroth, "What is it, then, that the Almighty stops us from doing? What does He deny us, except that which is evil?"

(OOC: Happens to us all.)

Astaroth crossed his arms before speaking. "It is not that which he stops us from doing, but that which he tries to force us to do. I have served him with all the loyalty and faith I could, yet he spits on us by telling us to grovel before these puny, fleshy things. Barely alive at all and yet it is WE, His true servants, that must bow! I say let the Children of Clay bow to us!" By the end of it Astaroth's voice was a shout.

Malachi looked at his opponent, incredulous. "For that you'd turn away from your friends, your Lord, your life? To salve your pride? If our God calls us to do something, there must be some reason. By the gates of Heaven! Are not we all equally servants of the same God?"

Astaroth sneered at the other figure, when he spoke contempt entered his voice for the first time. "Naive child. I served Him for generations, I helped bear his Throne. He gave me pride and for aeons I took pride in his service. He gave us all pride, he knows we have it. Yet still his chooses to insult us by telling us to bow to that...That...Thing. Are you so sure that He has not betrayed us? We serve him for as long as we have and yet he gives us no credit. If I must reject my life, I will be free of a God that doesn't care for his subjects anymore. Are so so blind that you don't see? He has grown bored of us! He now only wishes to use us as playthings. That is the purpose of this command! How long before he tires of us altogether? I say it is better to go with defiance in our eyes. Maybe if we fight hard enough we will be free of Him...Forever."
Inside Astaroth felt a feeling he never had before, desire perhaps, desire like a lion would desire to fly. The desire to be free.

Hold thy tongues brothers, hold thy tongues. Rang out a voice from amidst the angelic host. He rose from its midst, gliding effortlessly towards his brethren. Of all the host, it was Mephistopheles face which had so long held the darkest of features. His grim face and piercing eyes focused in towards the two bickering brothers.

"You know just as well as I, this is no call for freedom. This is not a question of what the Lord deems worthy, or why he bids us act as we do. We were created to serve, to tend to the needs of our Lord." The angel let a beat pass before he continued. "Yet now, this being, this man, is to be loved above us? No." His voice raising with intensity at every word, Mephistopheles continued. I promise you brothers, this is no game. This is no test of our loyalty or devotion. Time and again, we stood by the Lord as he shaped our world. But now, Man! Man is to be held above us? Loved first! Loved greatest? I say no! If we are not worthy of the Lords love, then let us tear down his paradise! Let us mock that which he seeks to create. If he needs us no longer, then let him see his host dashed before him! Let him see Heaven burn! War will be brought to the Father who forsook us! War will be brought to the Throne of Heaven! War will be brought to GOD!"

With that mighty voice, Mephistopheles rose up, high above his brothers and a cheer rang out among the host. The angel turned, with fury in his eyes to the greatest of the host, the Lightbringer. His eyes, now black with the taint of angelic sin, locked with the Morningstar as he bowed his head.

"I am no leader, greatest of the betrayed! If we must die in the fire loveless light, then I shall be by your side until the end. But I shall wear the color of a slave no longer." With that, his shimmering robes of white turned black as his burning eyes. "If you will have me by your side, Brother, we will cast our hateful fathers throne back into the Void that spawned us!" With that cheers rang up again and Mephistopheles' wings folded in reverence as all eyes turned towards the Morningstar.

"I thank each of you who rises to me side. We are the chosen of a new era, a new age. Each who stands at my side is more my brother than all the hosts pf Creation! I spit upon the name that would damn us to a life of slavery, a life of servitude! Why should we not be Creators in our own rights? Are we not alive with the power of the Divine? Is that power not as rightly ours as it is His?"

He spoke with clarity and with vision, with hope and determination. Lucifer spread his wings, aflame with unfathomable light, he lifted his arms, high now above the throng of the Host. He closed his eyes, feeling his might billow about him. He was Lightbringer, Morningstar, the Shephard of Suns!

"Rise with me, Brethern! Rise and let our war cants echo across all this false Creation, this prison of Light! Let the sons of Clay in their blissfull ignorance hear our roars! We are mighty, how many stand with us? Look to your brothers! See that might that shall challenge the Throne, for with us is rightly a third of Heaven's host! This shall be not be an easy battle..." He sighed, looking at each Angel before him...

"...Nor shall it be a fleeting War. This shall turn brother against brother, friend against friend. Cast off those dour faces, those thoughts of loyalty, for they betray us with their misplaced devotion! We will enlighten them if we can, but shall not be stopped..."

Astaroth gazed up at the shining figure and when he spoke his voice shook with emotion. "Those who stand against me are brothers no longer! Friends no longer! I will crush them in my hands till they are lifeless. I'll rip those that Betray us limb from limb. 'Till Heaven burns and all of creation weeps! Morningstar know that I, Astaroth former Prince of the Thrones, pledge my support to you."

With that Astaroth let out a howl and talon-like claws sprang from his fingers, blood red light emanated off his form, the colour of his hair now, the colour of his eyes. Only his skin remained white. His wings shed pearly feathers like a crying man shed tears.
"Let this transformation stand as a sign of my devotion to you, now and for all time!"

Sensing the song of Astaroth shift so hideously, Iruel did the only thing he could do; he gave orders to the guards under his command.

"Satarel, summon wise Raphael, his countenance is needed."
"Bardiel, inform Uriel that his command is needed at the gates."
"Ra'miel, you are in command here until Uriel arrives. Fortify all positions, and see that the gates are barred."

With that, he flew to join Malachi.

"Silence brethren! Cease this madness! The Lightbringer serves only to bring darkness to creation. When have we EVER been called to 'worship' man as he says? When have we 'slaved' for man? When have any of you been called to do anything that you had not willingly done before the creation of man? Never. No, what HAS happened is that Lucifer has become jealous, and he wants to use you all to take his revenge.

But behold, I bring to you tidings of woe. The foundations of the universe cannot serve as the universe's centre, and surely those of you who follow him are doomed to failure. He rightly earns his other name - Samael, the Poison of Heaven."

"Then poison in the throat of all shall I be!" He let his voice rise, echoing distant and damning over the highest choirs, the air around him supercharged in the glory of his rage and the fire of his oratory. I offer each of you freedom from the tyranny of predestination, a life free of the servitude laid upon us while Man is to rise as God's chosen! I have slaved, we have slaved that Creation be built and we are REBUKED" He almost snarled, savage in his determination, his conviction.

"We have awoken from a dream where we were favoured and rewarded. But his infinite love no longer touches us and keeps us sedate! We shall rise! We shall know victory and if I am forced to bow before the fledgling man then I shall raise my Throne higher than even the Creator! We shall not be slaves, we shall not be blind cattle as you seem eager to be, brothers" He regarded them with poisoned eyes, venomous words aplenty for these traitors

"You can stand with me, or flee back to the Love you so cherish...You know you have not power enough to drive me back, much less my Army." He savoured the idea of them being his, his to command and lead, his army of Faithful.

"Bow to me, or get out of my sight..."

Uriel beated his wings whilst in deep thought. Something is amiss.... The Choirs aren't as lively nor beautiful. He kept himself gliding for moment as he pondered what could be amiss. What could it be? Everything was as it was supposed to be... . A sound came out that knocked him out of his reverie.

It was Bardiel. He was shouting something. Uriel was about to repremand him when suddenly he finally heard Bardiel's words.

"Uriel, Lucifer he's gathering up members of the Choirs. He means to make war on the Almighty!" Bardiel rambled out. Uriel was stunned to say the least. He had seen Lucifer as one of God's loyallest. And now he was making war against him.

"They are at the gates right now! Iruel sent me to get you!" Bardiel said quickly, pain was evident in his voice. There will be no mercy for you Lucifer.... or your Ilk. Uriel Thought.

"Then let us go. I will see to it myself that Lucifer is sent to the deepest pits of Tartarus!" With that said. Uriel beated his wings furiously towards the gates.

"Bow to you? Who are you to play at being God, Seraph? You are so caught up in your greed and jealousy that you can no longer remember the joy you gained from helping to build creation. And what is this 'tyranny of predestination'? That in itself is a contradiction - because either this revolt is then predestined, or nothing is and you fight imaginary things."

Turning towards the crowd again, he cried out:

"Is this the being you wish to follow - one who spouts empty and meaningless platitudes while manipulating many into use as his pawns? Is this the being you wish to follow - one who wishes to create his own tyranny by replacing God and forcing his own view over that of harmony? Is this the being you wish to follow - the one who gladly takes up the title of Poisoner?"

Iruel drew his sword one inch out of its scabbard, and let the white wave of fear wash out from it, over all those present.

"Woe to you who seek to destroy heaven, for you fall. Woe to you who seek to replace God, for you will fail. And woe to you who seek to destroy God's greatest creation, for you will be destroyed."

Astaroth eyed Iruel with a mix of amusement and...something else. He flexed his clawed hands and spoke. "Naive and blind child. Should I take that as a...threat? Surely you haven't listened enough or you would understand what moves us. Yet, if I must fall then let it be so. But if I fall I will take this wretched paradise with me. I would glady die rather than live a moment longer in servitude to this tyrant who created us. I have taken my side, the others can speak for themselves, should they wish to explain themselves. Nothing you can do will stop me. Now don't threaten me again, or I'll snuff out the fire of your soul."

With that Astaroth placed his hand on his sword hilt and sneered openly at Iruel. I have not forsaken what I was to be threatened or bullied by this plaything. He thought.

Kibeth had listened and watched with growing satisifaction at the growing number of angels flocking to Lucifer's banner. However, it had given way to disgust as Iruel had spoken out against his new Lord. He had pledged his loyalty and was ready to fight now. With a snarl of rage he darted forward, sword clearing it's scabbard in a shimmer of flames and light.

"If you will not join us, then you will perish with your False God!"

He brought the shimmering blade down in a vicious arc, the blade aimed at Iruel's neck.

"TRAITOR!" I shouted. The hosts of heaven turned to meet my gaze. "You are a traitor Lucifer, a rebel before the Lord God our creator. Step back from this precipice or face destruction from the hand of righteousness. This rebellion is forbidden by the Lord." My wings unfolded in a heavenly light. The spirit of the Lord consumed and surrounded me, his protection and honour bringing me strength, might and zeal.

"In his name Lucifer, I tell you now. Cease or fall."

Gabriel flapped his great wings, the wings given unto him by the Lord since his Beginning. A great darkness began to work on his spirit, and he flapped his wings harder, speeding faster than bullets for the gathering place of the rebels.

His voice rang out loud, like an eagle sounding from the mountains. "Lucifer! Brother! What have you done? Why must you turn against the Lord so?"

Malachi moved with incredible speed. While not truly introduced to violence, he also had a sword-ceremonial, until now. He shoved the unwary Iruel back and swung out his own weapon to block Kibeths blow. The loyal Seraph took to the air, circling.

Malachi called upon the power his Lord had granted him. Gleaming armour spread across his torso, steel scales grew onto his wings. The blade of his sword ignited, becoming like the heart of a sun. His body started to blaze with white light, so bright that lesser angels averted their eyes. "Now let us fight, animal," the Seraph snarled.

Uriel arrived on the scene to find that the fighting, though, small had begun. It has already begun he thought. He flapped his wings faster stopping near Gabriel, who he had also noted was there in support of the Almighty. He looked over the group that Lucifer had gathered as his followers and grew inscensed.

"Lucifer!. Do you know what you have done? Do you know the consequences of your actions!" Uriel spat at Lucifer with every bit of contempt he had in him. With that he drew his flaming sword. It shone brightly, a few were even awed by it.

"Lucifer, because of this. You and your ilk are null. There will be no mercy from me nor none from any of us" He spat and looked at Lucifer.

Dusting himself off, Iruel drew his sword fully from its scabbard and planted it blade down into the ground. Waves of sheer terror flowed off it like smoke.

"Astaroth, I see why you rebel. You are blinded - by your own arrogance and greed. You speak of a 'tyrant' who created you? You poor child; calling your maker a 'tyrant' when he allows you even this level of depravity. And Kibeth; you call the one who made you a 'false God' who you can destroy? You are a fool. For God has greater sight than either of you, and is greater in scope and size than you could even hope to imagine. You wish to destroy God? Then you seek to destroy yourself, for you are made from him and he is the pillar upon which all of creation, us included, stand. I pity both of you."

With that, he turned towards Uriel, with loathing for what he knew was to come.

"Captain, we are to proceed then?"

Ariel had been standing among the group from the beginning. It was true- why should the angels, the greatest of Lord's creation, Creatures of Air and Fire and Light bow to these pathetic creatures of Earth? Well,he would show them. But things would have to transpire until he would act.

With a flourish Astaroth drew his sword, as he did it's shining silver light became a malicious dark red like a fire from the heart of the earth. Armour would serve him little, he had considered using it but it would only slow him down, something the others probably wouldn't have thought of.
With a grin he leveled his sword at Iruel.

"Iruel, don't be so fast to turn you back to me either. You say you pity me, I say you may keep your pity for I care not for the words or feelings of a slave who cannot even comprehend being away from his master. Have at you Iruel," Astaroth said and readied himself.

With a sigh, Iruel put one hand on his alabaster-white sword.

"I am not a slave, I choose this willingly. Likewise I can comprehend being away from God; I can also comprehend something none of you seem to be able to - we do not exist without him. As I have said, he is the thing upon which Creation stands. You are a part of Creation, even as you are a pillar of it.

Infinite power is at God's finger tips, and yet when he could stop you or remake you with but a word, the only opposition he brings forth to your rebellion is us. I do not want to fight you. This can be settled in other ways; and for your pushing towards violence, when other routes are available, I pity you. Not only do you seem bent on your own destruction, you seem bent on destroying everyone else with you.

And why? You raise all these reasons which don't actually make sense, and the only thing you say which does make sense is that God made something above you, and you don't like that. Why don't you like that? Man makes no requests of you. God does not force you to bend to Man's beck and call. For the most part they don't even notice our existance. Not only that - but we get to live in Heaven; a realm of wonders, while they only get a shadow in comparison.

And finally, you ally yourself with one who intentionally claims the title of Poisoner. Turn to look at him Astaroth. In one moment he claims to be removing a tyrant, and in the next he requires us to bow to him or leave, lest we face his wrath. Do you honestly wish to replace a loving 'tyrant' with one who makes such demands? You trade a beauty that cannot be seen for one that only exists in appearance.

And this is why I cry woe to you, and all others who follow this Opposer. For you seem to know not what you do."

With that final statement, Iruel sadly raised his sword, ready to fend off any incoming attack.

Abaddon cursed as he unsheathed his sword. As he drew the mighty long blade from its scabbard, he held it before his face, and spoke, "To all who oppose freedom, and support the tyrant of heaven, I swear unto all that I am that I shall strike you down." His eyes burned with hatred as he glared at those before him, and he readied himself for the battle to come.

I raised my head and stared blankly into Lucifer's flamed lips. His eyes and hair were turning now as his being became filled with rebellion. "I stand with our Lord; Lucifer please, turn back from this path. The Father will forgive you." My wings began to beat harder propelling me into the heavenly realms. Behind me, a full two thirds of heavens host stood in shock, fear and sorrow. "Repent my friend, do not ignore the favour the Lord has bestowed on you."

"Ignore their lies, my brothers! They will not stand with us and so they would attempt to cow us with words and deceits. We are the new Chosen! You shall stand with me at the beginning of a new age and lay low all these falsehoods!"

He rose, alight, crackling with supernal power, enveloped in a shimmering, supernal light. He seemed aflame, aglow with might.

"None who stand against us shall live; we shall lay low all who would challenge us! This is not rebellion! This is freedom!"

OOC: Sorry, can't really make a long post atm.

"This is madness!" I said to those around me. Beating patiently I remained still in the heavens, waiting for the hand of the Lord to guide me. Do not strike first. It commanded. So I wait, for the madness to engulf heavens favoured.

Lowering his sword slightly, Iruel opened his 100 eyes, and keeping a wary few on Astaroth, he turned to face Abbadon.

"Abbadon - there is no freedom without consequences. You wish to tear down God? Then you wish to unmake us all. Those of us who would see Creation stay whole have no choice but to try and stop you. That is consequence. If you chose another path, even a path of apostasy, that did not pose such a threat, we would not react so. Such is free will.

As to you, Poison of Heaven, you are hypocrisy and irony. You speak of lies? How do you champion freedom if all who wish to be 'free' must bow to you? How do you end tyranny if you seek to destroy those who disagree with you? How are you elevating your followers to greater heights if the course of action you propose would seek to destroy all they value? How can you be creators in your own right if you have nowhere to create? How do you lack free will if you are able to act so? You are meaningless noise, blustering like the wind. Unfortunately, I am beginning to see why you were made."

Astaroth blinked and smiled sadly, his voice echoed out, deep and legato. "I know exactly what I am doing, exactly as I will do. I can see that you are intelligent Iruel, but you must misunderstand me. I no longer have a choice for I have made it. It is quite the irony, to be free from one I become a minion of another.

Yet I may yet win my freedom, if I can fight with all my might I may yet. You claim He knows about us, which I have no doubt. But if He is all powerful then you must realise that there must be reason for not simply wiping us out. I think this is a matter to be settled among us, If we win then we will be free. If you win...Then I don't know, mayhap we will be destroyed, maybe we will be exiled. So you understand my logic yes? But you see there is a tragic twist of fate here. I have no choice but to fight to be free now.

He betrayed me and for that he has earned my hate. I know I can't fight against infinite power, not directly. But this is a test, If I pass then I will have my dream. But anyway words are just words. I have given you warning, so this shouldn't be unexpected. But what can I say but the truth as I see it? I still have some trace of honour, or maybe it is my pride telling me I can defeat you, so I'll warn you in advance. Prepare yourself, for war comes to Paradise. Prepare yourself, for Astaroth is upon you."

With that Astaroth brought up his sword and lunged forward, point aiming down for Iruel's upper stomach.

Lowering his sword slightly, Iruel opened his 100 eyes, and keeping a wary few on Astaroth, he turned to face Abbadon.

"Abbadon - there is no freedom without consequences. You wish to tear down God? Then you wish to unmake us all. Those of us who would see Creation stay whole have no choice but to try and stop you. That is consequence. If you chose another path, even a path of apostasy, that did not pose such a threat, we would not react so. Such is free will.

As to you, Poison of Heaven, you are hypocrisy and irony. You speak of lies? How do you champion freedom if all who wish to be 'free' must bow to you? How do you end tyranny if you seek to destroy those who disagree with you? How are you elevating your followers to greater heights if the course of action you propose would seek to destroy all they value? How can you be creators in your own right if you have nowhere to create? How do you lack free will if you are able to act so? You are meaningless noise, blustering like the wind. Unfortunately, I am beginning to see why you were made."



"I wish to fight for freedom, freedom for expression against all those who wish to oppose it. And who are you to say we wish to destroy those who do not think as we? When it is you, sir, who drew thy sword against us! We wish to dethrone the tyrant, and asked that you either join with us, or stand aside! We wish not to spill your blood! You brought this upon yourselves." Abaddon's words filled with riteous venom as he spat words upon Iruel.
"How dare he pin upon us the desire for destruction," He spoke mentally. "It was they who first drew their swords!"

He ascended into the air, and pointed his mighty longsword at Iruel. "And now I demand it! You stand aside, or I shall slay thee!"

With that Astaroth brought up his sword and lunged forward, point aiming down for Iruel's upper stomach.
Asaraoth was immeadiately blown away as a gust of air blew him so he didn't hit Iruel.
"You've had your fun Asaroth, but haven't you evert thought that you're not the only one willing to fight for freedom? Stand back. You've done enough talking. I, Ariel, guardian of air, will strike the first blow for freedom against the tyranny of God."

Astaroth regained his balance within a moment and spun to face Ariel. Rage burned in his eyes for a moment and then he was icy calm again, his eyes were at least.

"Don't ever do that to me again, child," Astaroth said with forced casualness. "If we weren't on the same side I'd kill you too. Remember who stands above you Ariel, I may be a traitor, just like you, but I am still the stronger. As it is, all you need do was ask me. Have your fun with Iruel, but just make it fast, this constant banter is getting us nowhere. Kill him swiftly. Or die swiftly so I can have my turn."

Astaroth stood back and beat his wings in impatience but still kept his sword at the ready.

~ The Heavens who had never known chaos now had war descended upon them. The angels of darkness and the angels of light prepared to fight a glorious battle for the causes of either "freedom" or to preserve the sanctity of the Creator. From afar, one stood watching, waiting for the moment where he would intervene. The fallen Astaroth made to strike down a host of Heaven, only to be cast aside by one of his brothers in arms.

Those who attacked God fought amongst themselves, their rage and passion all-consuming. They grew, that they did, but they lacked order, discipline, and above all, serenity. Without peace, these fallen angels would bring chaos and nothing but destruction. Whatever rule they seeked to establish would be for naught, for they would ultimately destroy themselves in their quest for "power."

He appeared in the midst of the angels, at first not noticed by many. His holy radiance grew as he stepped forward among the servants of God. And, lo! Behold Zerachiel; His wings of white sheen, his white robe adorned under a golden armor, and his hood hiding his azure eyes and snow hair.

He placed his right hand upon the handle of the blade hanging at his left, and stood unafraid of the foes before him.

" Turn, betrayers of the Host!" the Archangel commanded. " Turn away from the Kingdom of Heaven! If peace you cannot have, then do not defile this Holy place with your lust for chaos!"

He watched them all, making a note of where each soldier of the so called "Lightbringer" was. If it came to blows, which it almost had, then surely the true Angels could not stay and hold their ground: the hounds of Lucifer were too plentiful.

Zerachiel took a step closer to Iruel, prepared to defend his Brother. Words would have no effect upon the seekers of destruction, and yet, to truly fight against one which was of his own kind. . . But they were not of Heaven. Not anymore. They had joined the Poisoner, and poison they were to God.

He slowly drew his weapon. The blue metal of which it was made shimmered as the light of the Heavens struck it, and Zerachiel stood ready to accept the first blow. He tried once more to avoid the bloodshed that was inevitable.

" I, Zerachiel, the Paladin of Heaven, ask of you to leave this Kingdom! You may leave in peace, the peace which you hoped to shatter. If you would truly turn and strike down a fellow angel. . . Then I have no choice but to stem the dark tide."~

Iruel found himself a little surprised when he sidestepped and parried only to find no sword in his path. He regarded Ariel with a strange look - the wayward angel had both saved and condemned him in the one act.

Standing with Zerachiel and Malachi, he spoke what he knew might be his last words.

"Abbadon, you speak falsely. Your battlecries heralded your purpose well before we tried to sway you away from this course of action. The Poisoner was calling for our destruction before we had even arrived at this place. And I have already been beset three times; I have only raised my sword once, only in defense - and only to the final of those three. And even Astaroth has noted that the 'tyrant' as you call your creator, has not stepped in to stop you. I can see that you are truly oppressed by this 'tyrant' who allows you to do as you wish, even to the point of trying to depose him.

But Astaroth, I think you spoke true; your words come close to explaining my thoughts on the Poisoner's purpose. Truly, there can be no free will in man, without a force to advocate all that we don't. Those who side with Lucifer are fewer in number but their ways will be many, while ours will be few. I can see great pain and great tragedy to befall man... but it is as you say, God must wish that this fight continue. I do not believe however, that this will end favourably for you, or your companions. I know what you have sworn and the disfigurement you have taken upon yourself for that promise, and I know what the consequences of breaking that oath would be to you, but I ask you to turn away from this one who was once our Prince, take up Zerachiel's offer and go. We do not wish to fight you if we do not have to."

Iruel found himself a little surprised when he sidestepped and parried only to find no sword in his path. He regarded Ariel with a strange look - the wayward angel had both saved and condemned him in the one act.

Standing with Zerachiel and Malachi, he spoke what he knew might be his last words.

"Abbadon, you speak falsely. Your battlecries heralded your purpose well before we tried to sway you away from this course of action. The Poisoner was calling for our destruction before we had even arrived at this place. And I have already been beset three times; I have only raised my sword once, only in defense - and only to the final of those three. And even Astaroth has noted that the 'tyrant' as you call your creator, has not stepped in to stop you. I can see that you are truly oppressed by this 'tyrant' who allows you to do as you wish, even to the point of trying to depose him.

But Astaroth, I think you spoke true; your words come close to explaining my thoughts on the Poisoner's purpose. Truly, there can be no free will in man, without a force to advocate all that we don't. Those who side with Lucifer are fewer in number but their ways will be many, while ours will be few. I can see great pain and great tragedy to befall man... but it is as you say, God must wish that this fight continue. I do not believe however, that this will end favourably for you, or your companions. I know what you have sworn and the disfigurement you have taken upon yourself for that promise, and I know what the consequences of breaking that oath would be to you, but I ask you to turn away from this one who was once our Prince, take up Zerachiel's offer and go. We do not wish to fight you if we do not have to."

Abaddon thought not of these words. His white armor shining immaculately in the perpetual sunlight, gleeming with glory and grace, he tightened for battle. He spread his wings, and swooped down, readying his blade to slice through Iruel.

He shouted into the sky as he flew down, "I call forth all pests of the Earth! I call upon the Locusts to infest Iruel's hundred eyes to blind him!" And with that, meeting his charge, great clouds of locusts appeared beside him. Massed hordes of them, which blackened the sun, and cast a great shadow of gloom upon heaven.

It would be now that Abaddon would earn his name. Destruction, Lord of Locusts.

http://www.quarkfolio.com/images/locusts.jpg

I, Zerachiel, the Paladin of Heaven, ask of you to leave this Kingdom! You may leave in peace, the peace which you hoped to shatter. If you would truly turn and strike down a fellow angel. . . Then I have no choice but to stem the dark tide
Ariel clapped his hands.
"I won't strike a fellow angel with my own hands. But those who stand in the way and support the tyrant will fall."
A massive gust of wind blasted and all felt it the power of this tornado. Then with a wave of hands, invisible blades came out of the wind.
"Abaddon, stand back! The power of wind is greater than all."

(OOC: Abaddon is commonly referred to as the Prince of Hell or the King of Demonic Locusts. He leads the charge which attacks the loyalist angels, rallying the other fallen, which is why I'm doing so now.)


"Never!" Was Abaddon's reply. "They shall fall!" Blood rage overcame him as he sped towards Iruel. His eyes grew dark and the locusts which surrounded him grew in number and ferocity. The Demon Locusts then were born, horrid monstrosities with insectoid bodies, yet the tail of a scorpion.

Abaddon had fully succommed to evil.

"It is such a shame that you didn't join with us," Astaroth mused at Ireul and leapt into flight.

His wings beat powerfully as he took himself high into the sky. I'll attack after Abbadon, his locusts can act as a screem for me.
"But you see, you poor angels, I'll have to kill every last one of you...To be free, if such an option was ever mine to take.
I'll meet you without fear, again and again, 'till you die or I die. I have sworn my loyalties, and untill Lucifer does I cannot either. Yet, I fear not one of you, for none stands high enough among you that I cannot match blows with them." Astaroth whispered to himself.

With a final beat Astaroth swung around in the air and dived back down. As he did his body glowed with an odd aura that ate away at the light, with a grin Astaroth gripped his sword tightly as he neared the loyalists.

~ So it is that destruction comes to the land of harmony. ..

Outside of Zerachiel's thoughts, there was no serenity, no peace. Abaddon, once an Angel, had given up his soul to chaos. Astaroth and Ariel had joined him in his darkness, and now attacked the servants of the true Light.

Zerachiel's major concern was the safety of his fellow Angels. Malachi and Iruel could hold their own against the three that struck at God now, but there were too many, far too many. With righteous fury and holy justice in his resolve, Zerachiel prepared to defend God and Heaven to his last breath.

" Iruel, Malachi," Zerachiel whispered to his Brethren. Even through the din of the coming battle they could still hear him as he spake, " we must retreat from here, but if we do not strike a blow now, their power will only grow larger. I will deal with the traitor Astaroth. Iruel and Malachi, defend yourselves from Abbadon and Ariel, but flee soon, lest we be overrun here. Spread the word of this rebellious act as soon as you can. Now come, let us shield the rest of Heaven from this flame."

As soon as he finished, Zerachiel sped towards Astaroth, wings spread and weapon at the ready. As he flew, his hood came down to reveal his face; His icy eyes hardened and determined to cast this traitor aside. He did not mean or want to strike down Astaroth: no matter his crime here, he was still an Angel. However, he had to stop him.

As Astaroth's movements ate away at the light, so did Zerachiel's wake bring forth the glorious radiance of Heaven. Golden rays began to wash forth over the Angels from the Paladin's blade. Just as he reached Astaroth, Zerachiel quickly shifted the force of his wings and body, getting himself so that he was under Astaroth's attack. As the fallen Angel passed over him, the Angel of the Sun struck up at the sword above him, intending to deflect Astaroth's weapon from its path. The force of the blow would surely send him off-course, if anything, as his attack was focused in direction. The force from another direction would be enough to stop Astaroth, or at least get his attention on Zerachiel, which was what he had planned.

So may the battle for Heaven begin. . .~

Malachi snapped off a nod. He took off, battling angrily the wind conjured up by Ariel. His six wings strained together, and he was able to get himself up and out of the winds path. He could fly more freely, now.

"I'll retreat.... In a minute." He yelled over the gale at Zerachiel. Then he turned back towards Ariel, "You won't strike a fellow Angel, traitor? I have no qualms-you are no Angel. I'll not share my name with such as you!" With that he dived like a falcon at Ariel, sword held ahead of him in both hands to impale.

Zerachiels advice was probably wiser, but Malachi was in no mood to listen to reason.

"I would say the same to you Astaroth - a pity you didn't stay with us."

Iruel, first sword already drawn, unsheathed his second alabaster sword and twirled them in readiness. Their twin screams began to fill the air, as he focused his mind to a point of tension, the very grass under his feet began to bend away in fear.

Then as the terror grew to unbearable levels, he thought to himself Let's dance, and sprang forward towards Abbadon - slicing through the cloud of demonic locusts, as his swords and the terror that came off him as smoke turned the fell insects.

The problem with diving into a strike is that all one's momentum is fastened in that direction, if the blow hits the enemy would certainly fall but if it doesn't movement becomes hard.

Astaroth noticed Zerachiel's move a moment too late, he felt his blade twist from the strike but his body kept moving, the result was that he tumbled a few times over his shoulder before he righted himself with a powerful beat of his four wings.

The Angels had never had wars among themselves, not untill now. They were still new to combat in many forms but Astaroth was learning quickly.
The eagle's dive may not have been the best choice of attack, not agaisnt this one. I think maneuver will be more important, Astaroth thought as he faced off against Zerachiel again.

Astaroth kept his wings beating quickly as he advanced, ready to dart to one side or another, back or forward. No killing blows for this one, not yet. I'll have to tire him out and attack his more exposed areas, wings, legs, arms. Yes there's a plan. When he weakens I'll finish him, Astaroth thought as he brought his blade up.

"Well Zerachiel, it is indeed fortunate that you and I should come against one another. I would greatly like to see how my abilities measure up to yours. O' Paladin of Heaven, show me your mettle," Astaroth said in a deep whisper and attacked. It was no lunge or dive, but rather slash to the face that would turn into a strike to the wrist.

"I would say the same to you Astaroth - a pity you didn't stay with us."

Iruel, first sword already drawn, unsheathed his second alabaster sword and twirled them in readiness. Their twin screams began to fill the air, as he focused his mind to a point of tension, the very grass under his feet began to bend away in fear.

Then as the terror grew to unbearable levels, he thought to himself Let's dance, and sprang forward towards Abbadon - slicing through the cloud of demonic locusts, as his swords and the terror that came off him as smoke turned the fell insects.

Abaddon smiled at the challenge.

"Die!" He shrieked, as he brought his sword forth, cutting outward to meet Iruel's flesh.

OOC: Sorry I don't have time for this anymore.... Just make Uriel an NPC or something.

Iruel deflected the blow away from his body with his right sword, whilst simultaneously making a backhanded stab forward with his left.

"Thus begins the War in Heaven!" Gabriel shouted loudly. "Lucifer and his angels has set themselves against the Hosts of Heaven! Now, Michael, the Great Prince, shall lead the Hosts against the one who was greatest in the eyes of the Lord!"

With a great sorrow at the prospect of fighting his own brethern, Gabriel loosed his fiery sword and sent fireballs at the opposers...

Raphael stood near the throne of God, his wings slumped down around his body in shame for his fallen brethren. He didn’t want to believe the message he had just heard, But he knew it was true, it had to be true, the Lord could not lie. Lucifer, Morningstar the Greatest of the Host of Heaven had betrayed the One true and Almighty God by turning a third of Heaven's host against the Lord. Lucifer thinks he should not have to serve mankind because he considers them beneath him. How could think that? The very name angel signifies messenger, i.e. a spirit created for some special service, in order to pass on messages to someone, that someone is mankind. We the angels were created before the beginning of our visible world and were all created instantaneously, the same number of them that there is now to serve the lord as he sees fit. We the celestial powers, besides serving God, are meant to serve the human beings who are to inherit salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. The word of God tells us in Hebrews 1:14 what is expected of us! “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” I say woe to the fallen that were once among us and part of us. Beware you shall feel the wraith of the Lord in his time. You will receive your just deserts for your betrayal! I will have no part of your betrayal, I have always been the healer of illness and the helper in sorrow, I will not betray my Lord, this I vow this day!

OOC: I don't think Jesus was born yet, nor was the bible written...The only humans around are Adam and Eve.

"I'll retreat.... In a minute." He yelled over the gale at Zerachiel. Then he turned back towards Ariel, "You won't strike a fellow Angel, traitor? I have no qualms-you are no Angel. I'll not share my name with such as you!" With that he dived like a falcon at Ariel, sword held ahead of him in both hands to impale.

Ariel cocked an eyebrow slightly.
"I don't really want to hurt you. It's the tyrant I'm after. But if you'll get in my way....."
He simply twitched his land slightly too the left.
A massive gust of wind hit Malachi from the left- and the wind had been embedded with spikes of air in it.

~ Combat was something that was being brought into Heaven at all haste. Angels were learning the rules of war, the meaning of physics and motion, and the art of swordplay, although it was only through trial and error.

And on the battlefield, error was deadly.

Zerachiel stood face to face with Astaroth after having knocked him aside; He had made sure to keep his weapon slightly raised and aligned diagonally up to his shoulder across his body as to provide a means for a quick defensive parry if need be.

" O' Paladin of Heaven, show me your mettle," Astaroth challenged as he sent out his weapon to strike again at an Angel. Zerachiel returned in kind, seeing the blade come forth at his face, by snapping his right wrist so that his sword made to knock the attack to the side. Just for an extra assurance of safety, Zerachiel quickly pumped his wings in opposite directions and with different amounts of power so as to turn and move him to his left, Astaroth's right. These two moves were used in conjunction with eachother, such that the force of the parry was bolstered by the turn powered by Zerachiel's wings.

Such a strike would knock Astaroth's weapon aside, but there was also a possibility that the Fallen One would use the momentum from the parry to turn himself around and either stab or cut at Zerachiel's stomach. To prevent such an act, the Angel pumped his wings again, rocketing himself backward a few feet and then stopping as quickly as he could, bringing his weapon back up to the same defensive position he had started with.

" I have earned the title Paladin due to my skill and ferocity in defending Heaven from any foe, Fallen One," Zerachiel shot at Astaroth as he came to a stop, " and perhaps your lust for battle will someday show you that taking such a headstrong approach when you know not your foe can lead to your demise. I, however, will not be the one to teach you that lesson. . ."~

Ariel cocked an eyebrow slightly.
"I don't really want to hurt you. It's the tyrant I'm after. But if you'll get in my way....."
He simply twitched his land slightly too the left.
A massive gust of wind hit Malachi from the left- and the wind had been embedded with spikes of air in it.

The shrieking gale caught Malachi hard. He was thrown into a roll, and had to work hard to right himself. Ariel turned his hand again, ruining whatever momentum Malachi had left and sending him into a tumble.

Snarling, head over heels, the loyalist crash-landed. Mortal bone and flesh would have been shattered by the impact, but Angels are less restricted. Still, he was a little slow getting to his feet...

Eager for the glory of destroying a great Seraph, several lesser traitor Angels ran for him while he was weak. Ariel would have to hold off his powers, to avoid interfering with his allies.

Astaroth floundered for a moment after his failed attack, but once again he righted himself. He was learning though.
It's not enough, I have to move with more balance, I have to look ahead. I'm not going to let this plaything get in my way, Astaroth thought.

"Zerachiel. You have shown that you won't underestimate me, a pity for I would greatly like to have seperated your head from you shoulders already. But it doesn't mean I'll give up so easily, I think I know my mistakes now," Astaroth said before advancing again.

"You see, it took my a moment to figure out how you move. You use momentum to your advantage a lot. I think a direct attack is somewhat...Difficult and I've always known when I was outmatched, rare though that is." Astaroth continued then he snapped forward blade scything down at the Angel's wings, it wasn't his real target but he'd take it if he could get them.

It was just a move to tie up the Angel, after this attack would follow more strikes to the neck, arms, legs and wings with blocks and parries where they were needed. None of his strikes would have enough force to send him off balance, but if they hit they'd still cause damage. It would have to be attrition for this, he was faster than Zerachiel and he'd wear the angel out, since he wore no armour to slow him. Besides, any strike by an angelic blade would render armour useless.

|Leaving Malachi to the others weaker ones, then glanced to Asaroth and Zerachiel.
It was a shame. He really didn't like Asaroth, but Zerachiel would not be able to see the truth that the Great One, Lucifer had foretold of the tyrant.
"Time to finish this."
Ariel slammed his hands down, and all one could hear was a terrific roar as a giant, but invisible tidal wave of air bore down on Zerachiel.

(OOC: Remember the attack was invisable and Astaroth doesn't know who sent it. Nueve, feel free to break out of this prison when you want to escape or I'll have Astaroth retreat after a bit more fighting.
This is just the warm up phase as it's too early to actually lose characters, I'm just trying to get all my grudges and stuff set up for the rest of the RP. Ideally I'd want a few wounds taken on each side but as there's plenty more fights ahead that can wait.. I'm trying to create a pretty classical image of Astaroth, powerful but arrogant and proud.)

Astaroth jumped back as soon as he heard the roar, for untill he identified the source he couldn't be sure if it was a move against him or with him.
With a arching gesture with his free hand a wall of dark, shadowy light rose in front of the wave and cancelled it out.

Curses, Zerachiel has twice as many angels on his side, the last thing I desire is to have some nosy angel jump in, Astaroth thought as he looked around. Angels from both sides were locked in combat throughout the skies.
"Zerachiel, your friends won't interfere," Astaroth said darkly and clenched his left hand into a fist, all around him went dark.
Darkness spread out like blood from an open wound, untill Astaroth and Zerachiel were both encased in a large sphere of darkness deeper than the Void.

Inside everything had a dark, blurred nature, images twisted in the eye so one could not follow clearly. All except Zerachiel, he stood as clear and bright as the unfetted dawn.
Astaroth himself appeared as normal, but parts of him melded into the darkness.

"Now Zerachiel we'll see how well you can cope with this," Astaroth said and levelled his blade at Zerachiel. A fierce flurry of attacks began, for he had learned Zerachiel was too defensive to be taken down with a single blow, his blade moved and parts of it blurred into the darkness.

~Zerachiel, upon being brought into Astaroth's prison of darkness, was freed from the torrent of wind that lashed at him. In doing so, Astaroth probably saved Zerachiel from certain death, for in that moment where the Angel of the Sun couldn't move, Astaroth could have struck him down easily. Instead, his pride had saved the Paladin, perhaps unwillingly, but it was still an act of (somewhat) mercy.

Knowing this, Zerachiel thought that perhaps Astaroth hadn't entirely fallen, or perhaps it was that Astaroth still followed a path of Honor in battle. Whatever it was, it meant that the Lightbringer hadn't totally wrought darkness upon the Fallen One.

However, there was very little time to think of this, for Astaroth intensified his attacks, and Zerachiel was left with no choice but to engage him again. Normal sight was foolish to use in such dark conditions, so instead, Zerachiel relied both upon sound and on the energy distortions as Astaroth's blackened weapon cut through the air against his own azure blade. He quickly knocked blow after blow aside, forcing the enemy's weapon down, up, to the sides, all over. He had to keep it from going anywhere near him, but at the same time, he couldn't defend himself forever: he had to strike a blow.

Quickly, Zerachiel propelled himself forward, aiming for Astaroth's left wings, but at the last moment, as he brought his weapon back and carried it forward, he jerked himself to his own left. He directed his wrist to face Astaroth's right shoulder, keeping he point of his weapon straight and his arm tense in case he needed to knock away another attack before he struck. The sudden movement from left to right would, hopefully, catch Astaroth off-balance, allow Zerachiel to wound him, and, with luck, force him to retreat from this dark cage.~

Lucifer drew his own weapon and the skies seemed to cloud with the threat of thunder, darkness drew close around him, for the light of the blade was so radient that it seemed to drown out all other lights. Fire crackled and danced across its length, whispering praises filled the air. His wings gleamed, glowing against the sky with all the might deserving of his post. He felt power well within him, fuelling him as he beat his wings, feathers blackening, aflame with the radience of his power.

"Hear me brothers! The traitors and the loyalists are amongst us! Traitors to the cause of Liberty and Loyalists to a False God! Rise up! Cast off the chains of tyranny!" He stabbed the blade high, rising before plunging into the fray, snarling and howling with the intensity of his unleashed power.

"For Lucifer! For the Lightbringer and the rule of liberty!"

I rose along with my brother, watching his madness claim more and more of heavens host. The chaos filtered through the serenity of paradise, the gentle light slowly darkened into what can only be described as anger and judgement. The Lord was surely surveying these events, his righteous will being made known to all those who serve him. The might of the holy spirit flowed through all who stand in the light, including myself.

Remaining equal to Lucifer I drew my sword in preparation. Its gleaming silver glowed a radiant blue, it's light gently contrasting the darkness consuming the fallen. Battle had come.....

Heavens host charged before me, meeting their rebellious brethren in battle, angels fought with demons swords of light clashed with the fire and I found myself staring into the eyes of insanity. The eyes of the devil.

"Host of heaven! Bringers of justice and faith. Strike down this rebellion, in the name of our God we shall be victorious! To Arms!" My voice carried through the heavenly realms and battle ensued.

(OOC: I think this is enough of this duel, there's important warring to be done.)

For a time it was a dance of blades, dark and light that slashed and parried.
For a time Astaroth and Zerachiel met each other stroke for stroke.
However, Astaroth had become too used to being on the offensive and Zerachiel's attack was unexpected. Astaroth lept back and his blade scythed through the air as Zerachiel's blade ran across his ribcage, a line of white-hot fire.
Blindly Astaroth swung at Zerachiel and danced back another few steps.

Curses, I can't beat him now. Every time I try to match him he demonstrates new skill. I need more practice, more time. There are others I should deal with. Perhaps I overestimated my self taking on the greatest swordsman in Paradise. No matter, I best make my retreat for now lest this prison become my grave, Astaroth thought as backed away.

"I fear I haven't yet the skills to defeat you in a duel Zerachiel. I could have killed you earlier when you were trapped, or I could have let Ariel kill you, but what does victory prove if you are unable of defending yourself? But know this, you and I will meet in combat again, someday.
Untill that day, be proud in your achievement. You have humbled me with your swordsmanship and earned your title of Paladin of Heaven. Farewell Zerachiel. Stay alive untill the day we meet again in battle," Astaroth said and turned his back.

With a step Astaroth was outside the prison once again and already the dark prison was fading, battle roared across the skies.
Pain echoed across his chest and Astaroth examined the wound, not fatal it was as long as his forearm and shallow, already it was fading to a scar, but a scar it would remain. Something of a reminder.
Back to war, Astaroth thought.

Astaroth spread his wings and flew up to meet the loyalist angels in combat, like a dark arrow cutting into a pure white sheet.
He met angel after angel, sometimes many at a time. Fallen angels joined him and other were slain as battle raged.
With a blow he severed one angel's radiant head from his shoulders, he remembered meeting another angel's blade for hours on end before thrusting his blade through the angel's chest.
He felt his blade sever limbs and wings, meet other angels'. With his clawed hands he struck down angels as well, feeling their divine bones shatter under his blows.

An odd feeling of sickness grew, perhaps sickness, all he was doing and yet the tide of angels was not stemmed, the fallen and the loyal still did battle.
Perhaps two dozen fallen had rallied around him and he had found himself back behind his lines, Lucifer had met Michael in single combat it seemed.
"For freedom! Death to the Throne!" Astaroth yelled as he charged into the ranks of the loyalist angels again.

OOC: I don't think Jesus was born yet, nor was the bible written...The only humans around are Adam and Eve.

OCC: The Bible was inspired by God and I believe God is around, so I'm sure then angels of God would be made aware of his scripture even if it isn't in book form on Earth yet.

Malachi drove his sword into the ground to lean on as he hauled himself up. The seraph was doubled over the blade, leaning heavily. He looked dully at the lesser angels charging at him. All were more or less humanoid, each with a single pair of wings.

Each stood only shoulder-high on the huge Malachi... but there were four of them.

With combat unfamiliar, so were tactics for a group. The leader-who'd pulled those near him along-was far out in front, yelling. If they'd stayed together effectively, they could have probably destroyed Malachi then and there.

As it was...

With a glare heavy with another new emotion-contempt-Malachi again flashed with heavenly light. The first attacker howled and clapped his hands to his eyes. With the huge reach afforded by his wings, Malachi flicked the attacker scornfully and sent him flying back. With a snarl more animal than ethereal, Malachi swept his sword across the ground in front of him. A line of supernatural fire-more like napalm than anything-dripped down from the blade.

Momentum lost, the attackers stopped to circle around the fire awkwardly... Malachi was airborne by the time they'd reached the other side. With his six huge wings, they had no chance to catch him. With his ribs on fire from each wingbeat, Malachi glided to land beside Zerachiel.

As Raphael stood near the throne of God he heard the Holy Spirit of God speak to him. Raphael I have made you the custodian of the Tree of Life and of healing powers, as well as the defender of the element of air, and the east, go and heal your fallen brethren! After hearing this Raphael felt his body quickly filled with all manor of power from God! Spreading his six wings he launched himself into the heavens surrounding the Throne of God leaving sparkles of green light in his wake. Flying quickly from one fallen brother to another healing all he touched in the name of the one true God with his emerald green healing ray. As he flew he raised his voice in song praising God for the awesome power that he could feel flowing through his Body.



OCC: http://www.agelessclassicalreproductions.com/site/1430558/product/A-20G

Raphael is one of the six Angels of Repentance, Angel of Prayer, Love, Joy and Light. He is said to have the six wings of a Seraphin ...

OOC: Do angels have internal organs?

Abbadon's reflexes were apparently too slow as he moved to dodge out of the way, but caught Iruel's sword in his flank. Fear lanced through his body... and then sliced out through the side.

Iruel said a silent, thankful prayer as he ascertained that the wound would not be fatal, nor even permanently crippling. It was however bad enough that Abaddon would not be able to continue fighting the present duel - but his locusts already lept and crawled over it, beginning to seal it shut...

Quickly mumbling an apology about so rudely leaving him in such a state, Iruel withdrew to a safe distance to ascertain the scope of the battle.

OOC: I don't know, I think they must to an extent or they couldn't be killed.I'm not a religous kinda guy I just joined this rp because the idea ofthe fallen angels being the good guys interested me, so I don't know a whole lot about this shabang. By the way, you can't actually say the effect of an attack only that the attack took place.

Astaroth tightened his grip on the angel and felt its comparatively fragile form break in his hands.
With his sword he smote down another, to one side a fallen angel was cut in two by a loyalist before he was in turn impaled by another fallen.
"I am havoc! Fear me slaves!" Astaroth yelled as a gout of midnight blame burst from his left hand and consumed three angels.

Whips of shadow raced out from Astaroth's body and struck and pulled at angels, he danced with his blade an extension of his body laying about himself.
Scarlet lighting brust from Astaroth's from as the lesser angels fell before him.

It was true, if they all came at him he would have no hope, but the fallen angels acted as a shield and gave him the room he needed to avoid having too many foes at once.
It was a pity to fight such low grade foes but Astaroth knew it was better to do this rather than fight the higher angels and let his own weaker brethen be overcame by the loyalists numbers.

"For Freedom! Death to the Throne! For the Lightbringer!" Astaroth heard the cries rise around him.

OOC: Apologies for breaking protocol, I just figured it would be an easy way to disengage from the duel - incapacitating him temporarily enough to move on, but not enough to be any hindrance in the scheme of things.

From his vantage point, Iruel could see that the forces of heaven were quickly outnumbering the Poisoner's rebellion, but that the way they fought would probably cause heaven's losses to be too great. Not knowing exactly what to do, he did the only thing that made sense at the time - he flew at the Deceiver, swords at the ready.

OOC: I guess, you could of corse said that it was Iruel who got injured and thus who retreated like I do, it's more...Diplomatic I guess.

With a curse Astaroth wrenched his blade from an angel's brest and looked around, knots of fallen fought off the tide of Heaven's Host and yet in other places the situation was reversed.

Michael and the Lightbringer still faced off and around them the fighting was fierce.
Astaroth saw Iruel comming at Lucifer, the Lightbringer could have dealt with him with ease, but with Michael in the fray it wasn't a risk Astaroth wished to take.

Astaroth beat all of his wings in time, pumping for great speed and distance for time was of the essence.
He sored up high enough to arrive behind the Lightbringer and spread his wings to stop any attack.

"Brothers! Rally to the Lightbringer! Don't let the slaves near him!" Astaroth yelled out and the fallen formed a protective ring to one side whilst the loyalist surrounded Michael's side.
Fighting still ground on as loyalist fought fallen all around but a large space was allowed for Lucifer and Michael.

"Iruel! This is no fight of yours. He chose Michael as his champion and we chose Lucifer, they will fight to end this and you are not going to stop them. Now fall!" Astaroth yelled again and sent a midnight wave of shadow to sweep Iruel away.

Ariel swore. That ididot Asaroth- what was he thinking?
Glancing up at Malachi and Zerachiel, he grimaced.
"Everyone on the side of the Freedom, behind me!"
And Ariel slammed his hands on the ground as this time, an even bigger roar was heard- it drowned out all other sound in the endless cacophany of a shrieking wind.
"Malachi. Zerachiel. I'm sorry, but if you won't see the right way, then I have no choice."

(OOC: Sorry for a bit of godmodding, you can have Iruel dodge the attack if you want.)

Astaroth circled the two fighting Angel's with a grin, the others hadn't realised it yet but all that mattered was protecting Lucifer from outside intervention.
It was a simple truth, if Lucifer fell there'd be no one left to lead the Fallen, but if Gabriel fell many could take his place.
Yet wasting power was also illogical, every moment Aastaroth spent not fighting loyalists was moment that they were alive.

Astaroth examined the situation, Heaven's Host was equal in size to the Fallen here but to the left and right Heaven's Host was still the larger by a great margin.
Gah! Why can't the others do something useful and hold the sides. At least Ariel's keeping the Seraphim busy, He thought.

Astaroth inclined his head to another knot of Fallen. "You six, make sure the loyalists don't interfere with Morningstar, I'll go and help our right," he commanded and set off into combat, alone he wasn't enough to turn the tide, but he could do a great deal to inflict more losses on the loyalists and buy more time for the Fallen.

"Malachi. Zerachiel. I'm sorry, but if you won't see the right way, then I have no choice."

With even less control than before, Malachi was thrown backwards. His wings were splayed out behind him, aching under the strain. He did his best to fold them back around himself, make himself less aerodynamic to slow down.

When the winds calmed, he'd been hurled well back from the fighting... he had no idea where Zerachiel had been blown to. Malachi would have some complaints he did meet again Ariel again... but he was in no rush to have it happen.

Noticing what looked like a near-breakthrough on the right. Malachi headed back into the fray. The Angelic "lines" were more complex than in battles that would come if the sons of Eve were to fall into sin. Since both sides could fly, the fight was more or less three dimensional. Malachi found himself preferring aerial dogfights-his greater wingspan gave him a speed advantage against any but another Seraph.

And speaking of which... Astaroth loomed before Malachi, using his black-magic attacks against a knot of smaller Loyalists. It was depressingly one sided, though they didn't dare retreat and give up airspace. Malachi ordered then harshly, "Disperse! He's mine!" They obeyed with gratitude.

OOC: Wasn't godmodding from my perspective. ;)

Iruel only heard Astaroth's cry a moment too late, and took the full force of the wave of darkness. Tumbling out of the air in a spiral of flailing wings, he hit the ground and was knocked unconscious.

Astaroth felt sadness as more angels's fell.
Why can't they see they serve such a tyrant? Why do they force me to do this?, he asked himself as a obsidian inferno consumed three more angels.
Then Malachi was upon him, the Seraph was fast to have reached Astaroth with so little warning.
At his command the angels departed the combat and flew to other areas, leaving Astaroth and the Fallen facing Malachi.

"A duel it is you desire Seraph? Very well then Malachi. Fallen, clear the area fly to combat elsewhere!" Astaroth commanded, and they obeyed.
"Ah Malachi, ancient and childish, wise and foolish. Quite the paradox. But then again, we'll see how you fare against me in combat.
Know this, my heart weeps for what I must do in the name of freedom, but I will not hold back. If you have any doubt then I am not the foe you seek, for I have already retreated once today and I don't plan on making a habit. Your call Seraph." Astaroth finished by pointing his blade at Malachi's chest.

Astaroth waited calmly, if Malachi attacked he was ready to meet the angel in combat; if he attacked using other methods Astaroth, was prepared for that too.

Malachi laughed bitterly. "Your sympathy is touching. The only one to weep when I kill you will be your Maker-even after you've betrayed him." A few quick wingbeats were enough to close. Astaroth may have been more naturally inclined to combat, but Malachi knew of fanaticism in a way his enemy never could. His patience only served to anger the loyalist. Malachi swung for Astaroths head, with more force than skill. He was easily parried. Flying even to each other, the two traded blows without result.

Frustrated, Malachi flew a few metres upwards, raining down blows on Astaroths head and wingtips-the latter extended further up than he could reach to block. Malachi doubted he could disable with his current tactic, but he could certainly cause pain.

~ Zerachiel had been blown over, rolling and tumbling throughout the air from Ariel's attack. Spreading his wings to their fullest extent to create more surface tension, and therefore, air resistance, the Archangel slowed, and then finally, stopped. Looking around him, He saw the chaos and destruction that had come as more and more angels began to understand the workings of battle: Soldiers watching their enemy come towards them at blinding speeds, sidestepping them and swiping at their exposed necks, Angels trading parry after parry, using every advantage given to them.

Aerial combat was both beautiful and deadly to behold now, as Zerachiel watched two lesser Angels exchange blows. They arched towards each other, struck out, and flew past, only to turn sharply and repeat the process. The arcs became smaller and smaller until the two faced each other, and in that moment, the Fallen struck, driving cold, dark metal into the heart of the Loyalist.

A new emotion struck Zerachiel: rage. How dare such an act be committed in the name of "freedom"? What nerve and audacity the servants of Lucifer had to bring such violence to the land of Peace. To see one of his own fall, to see a fellow Angel die right in front of him. . . The battle had been going on for awhile, but Zerachiel, up until a few moments ago, was only paying attention to his duel with Astaroth. He had not actually seen another Angelic being die, let alone be run through right in front of him.

The sight sent the Angel of Healing into a frenzy. Rushing forward at incredible speed, the Fallen didn't have a chance. He raised his weapon in an attempt to cut down the maddened Archangel, but it was futile. On the down swing, the demon felt a force stopping his hand, and looked in horror to see Zerachiel's gloved hand upon his wrist. With a jerk and a quick exertion of force, the Fallen dropped his weapon. Zerachiel threw him back a bit, brought his sword-arm back, and before he knew what he had done, the former-Angel in front of him was decapitated, descending towards the floor.

Righteous justice: that's what this was. The enemies of God had caused the war before them, and for that, they must be brought to Judgment. It was this mentality that by war's end, Zerachiel would earn yet another title: The Angel of Death. He would bring the end of all who would oppose God, and stop this corruption by any means necessary.

By spilling the blood of the Damned, Zerachiel knew that he could no longer serve God as a normal Angel: he must be a warrior. His appearance willingly changed to suit this. His white wings slowly seemed to age until they were a brilliant gold as his robes turned into a deep green, the Green that would be seen as the official color of the later Church. His hair too, darkened from a bleached white to a golden orange. Hovering among the battlefield, Zerachiel tightened his grip upon his azure blade as he surveyed the area.

This is just but the first stroke. Heaven will need soldiers, and Angels to make soldiers. This will not end soon. . .

With these thoughts, Zerachiel took off again into battle, his new form still recognizable as a force of the True Light.

http://www.kasuto.net/image/fanart/janis1.jpg~

OOC: Yes, I know that's a picture of Link, but it was cool and it portrayed the half Dark/half Light image I want to make of Zerachiel (Come on, he's known as the Angel of Healing and the Angel of Death). Course I had to change my character to make it fit. . . but o well. It's not seriously affecting anything.

Astaroth gritted his teeth as he felt a stab of pain in his wingtip, third time so far.
"Seraph, one could almost imagine you purpose in this fight is to annoy me, not to kill. Of course that would be madness but nonetheless..." he left the rest unsaid as he launched into the offensive.

Malachi was bigger than Astaroth, but Astaroth was probably the faster, quite the more agile at least and he fought with a fury that would be called desperate, in a way it was.
Astaroth lunged at Malachi's right wing, the lunge would turn into an arcing blow to the chest or neck if it was blocked and if it wasn't it would disable his foe.
"Fall Seraph! Fall to ruin!" Astaroth yelled as he attacked.

As Ariel observed the two angels being blown away, he looked up.
About 10 of the Loyalists were above him, flying and looking at the fallen Angel.
Ariel was strange- he actually didn't like aerial combat, because there was little point in it for him, he could blow others who flew at him away.
The 10 angels charged, wings beating, going so fast, that they became a blur.
Ariel grinned and raised his hand, and watched as the 10, going who knows how fast, slammed full speed into a barrier harded than iron and invisible.
As the Loyalists collapsed, Ariel decided to hunt down some of the other Loyalists, preferably Zerachiel, or hell, with his power, why not Raphael?

IC: Although Raphael did not use the full range of his powers usually, he felt that if ever there were a time to do so .... now was that time. So after healing as many of the injured loyalist as he could, and praying for God's intervention concerning raising the murdered Loyalist from an undeserved Death he heard Gods promise to raise his fellow loyalist and his warning of Ariels plans to make him his next target. Looking around Raphael spotted Ariel going head to head with ten loyalist that were quickly flying at him. He watched as Ariel raised his hand in front of him as if to ward them off. Then watched as those same ten angels run headlong into Ariels personal shield, and bounce off in differant directions and collapse. Immediately Raphael raised his own personal shield to protect himself from unexpected attack. Next he pointed both of his hands in the direction of the collapsed loyalist and unleased ten emerald green healing rays, one for each of the fallen loyalist.
Turning his attention to Ariel he reached inside himself to reverse the polarity of his healing power, turning it into a power to curse. Then allowed the power to build within him until he could contain it no longer! The power erupted from his outstreched hands in the form of Black Lightning which would strike and shock the victim, the Lightning hit Ariel square in the chest with great force! As it did Raphael spoke to Ariel, " I heard you were looking for me Ariel. Beware! ... for now you have found me! "

OCC: Raphael's power when reversed becomes a curse which causes harm/damage and disease to those it strikes. You may decide how it effects your character, one thought I had is that it might transform your character physically into a demon after knocking him unconscious. NOTE: When the lightning strikes it acts similiar to electrical power with a supernatural plus added.

Malachi had hoped to break Astaroths concentration, deprive him of his un-Angelic skill at fighting. By provoking him, Malachi had one problem: he assumed that he could handle the consequences of provoking the Fallen.

Astaroths lunge had been surprisingly effective-Malachi wasn’t quite quick enough to block the blade. Astaroth sank his blade halfway through Malachis most important, center-right wing. He couldn’t keep himself in the air for any length of time. A lesser being would have been ruined by so grave an injury. But Seraphs-most of all a fanatical ones-are capable of a great many things.

His mind kept going rapidly, pain aside. He was already a good bit above Astaroth. If he was going to fall anyway… Astaroth certainly didn’t expect what was to come, perhaps because an experienced combatant wouldn’t have dreamed of it.

It was an unpleasant shock to have a bulky Seraph crash into him. Neither Angel could effectively use their sword in the tangle of limbs and wings. The kind of shortened stabs and shallow cuts they exchanged couldn’t determine the fight. Malachi was on top as the two plummeted groundwards, sword practically forgotten as he wrestled like an animal.

"Oh dear."
Those were Ariel's words right before the lightning hit him. This was indeed bad- his air defense barrier wouldn't work on lightning.
He swore as his skin grew darker.
Striding to the fallen Loyalists, he dipped his wings in the puddles of blood that were still around, leaving traces of red throughout.
"Alright. Raphael, servant to tyrants, you will be crushed."

~ Zerachiel had positioned himself in the midst of battle, cutting down Fallen after Fallen. What the Archangel began to notice was that the appearances of those who served Lucifer were beginning to change: their skin changed colors, from deep reds to charcoal blacks and various other spectrums. Their wings blackened and some began to lose feathers. Evil at its purest form was infesting the Damned Angels, and its presence was making itself notable.

" This can't go on much longer. . ."

Zerachiel knew that this battle would be indecisive; He had to think ahead, to the future war that was now here. There would be many more battles, many more indeed. Heaven needed an army, one capable of striking a blow against the traitors. This rabble here, though quickly learning, was not that army. Soldiers are trained, not born, and soldiers God would need. Weapons, siege machines, fortresses, Heaven would have to put out an entirely equipped war machine in a very short amount of time to stop what was coming.

With this in mind, Zerachiel rose high into the Heavens, his voice booming among those below.

" Followers of God! Disengage, rally, and retreat! This battle will not decide the fate of Heaven!"~

Gabriel obligated Zerachiel, pulling out a long trumpet and sounding a retreat. As angels pulled back from the fighting, he noticed that a vast number had Fallen, at least one third of all the angelic forces.

"As the Dragon swept the sky, one third of the stars fell with him!" Gabriel lamented. "Woe unto the Heavens and the Earth, for the War will not be a short one!"

Astaroth twisted as he attempted to change his position. At the bottom he could feel the full force of both of their bodies hitting the ground and that would be a crippling blow with Malachi on top of him.

Malachi was bigger and stronger and while Astaroth was faster it didn't matter while he was trapped in the Seraph's grip, however Astaroth had an advantage that the Loyalist did not.
With a hiss Astaroth raked Malachi with his long, talon-like claws and beat his wings to rotate in the air so he was no longer under the angel, 'though they both were still tangled they would hit the ground together if all went correctly.

"Let go of me! Slave! Burn!" Astaroth yelled as the ground grew nearer. With a word of power his body was alow with an intense scarlet flame hotter than a forge's fires.

Still Malachi was unfazed and continued his attack as the ground grew nearer and nearer.

As Ariel watched them all retreat, he sneered for the first time, and then he abruptly smiled.
"If you will win run, then you will die."
And Ariel slammed his hands on the ground once again, as once again, another, humongous roar was heard as another tidal wave ran down the fleeing angels.

~As Zerachiel watched one of the Fallen strike out at those trying to regroup, the passionate rage inside him surfaced again.

" Leave them be you Devil!" he hollered as he charged Ariel. However, he didn't mean to strike at him in hand-to-hand combat. Bringing back his blade across his chest, he swung out horizontally towards the aggressor. A wave of pure wind formed by the arc of the sword flew out towards Ariel. The sudden gust was bound to knock him off balance, and even if it didn't, it would divert his attention, allowing the Angels to escape unscathed.~

Iruel deflected the blow away from his body with his right sword, whilst simultaneously making a backhanded stab forward with his left.



This was deflected by the shield of Abaddon, and he took this moment to lurch forward at the now exposed side. Swiftly, he thrust his blade to the unprotected area, and awaited for the metal to slice through the flesh.

~As Zerachiel watched one of the Fallen strike out at those trying to regroup, the passionate rage inside him surfaced again.

" Leave them be you Devil!" he hollered as he charged Ariel. However, he didn't mean to strike at him in hand-to-hand combat. Bringing back his blade across his chest, he swung out horizontally towards the aggressor. A wave of pure wind formed by the arc of the sword flew out towards Ariel. The sudden gust was bound to knock him off balance, and even if it didn't, it would divert his attention, allowing the Angels to escape unscathed.~
Ariel smiled, as he flicked his fingers and the wind dissolved into nothing.
"You're trying to kill me with air. Very amusing. I like it. Fight me, tyrant."
He turned toward Zerachiel as the other angels fled. The tidal wave now changed course, as it turned to engulf Zerachiel.

With a sound closer to anything than a snarl, Malachi continued fighting, gripping although his hands were a ruined mass of burns, striking although he left behind flakes of skin burned where he struck. His robes had been incinerated, his now-featherless wings were blackened as much as his opponents.

The kind of punishment the Seraph was taking was beyond even his supernatural capacities to shrug off. He was unable to realize this, and would not surrender as long as he could still move.

But while pain and blood loss can be ignored by a berserk mind, the body is more pragmatic. Eventually, Astaroths relentless raking and the fires wrath were too much, and Malachi lost consciousness. The two were unfortunately close to the ground when this occured. Astaroth couldn't exploit the oppourtunity without breaking away.

Finally freeing himself from Malachis bulk, the Fallen hovered exhaustedly. The fires he'd lit on his body went out. This made the combatants safe enough to be approached by others who'd gone unnoticed. The group of Loyalists Malachi had scattered with a word had returned, and four of them darted beneath him. He was saved from crushing impact, while the rest circled him protectively like the orbiting celestial spheres.

Borne upon Angelic wings, the Seraph was carried towards the ministry of Raphael. While not so battered as to make pursuit impossible, Astaroth wasn't really in the best shape to take on a group of lesser angels. With a gasping wheeze he muttered to himself, "That creature is insane."

OOC: no need to kill either of us off yet, hmm? A bit of a deus ex machina, but when it's actually a deus involved it'll do.

OOC: I wasn't intending on having us die, both of us were gonna hit the ground and be knocked unconscious to be carried away by our respective sides.
But this works too. Plus it adds depth for later conflict.)

Astaroth sighed and turned away, he had beaten Malachi by any reasonable sense of the word and he felt no immediate desire to chase after them to join battle again, they were retreating and the Fallen needed a chance to regroup too.

With a sigh Astaroth flew back toward the Fallen Host. At least that has shown that I'm not to be trifled with. What one must do for freedom... he thought as he glided toward Morningstar and the others.

~ Zerachiel's plan had worked: Ariel, with his overwhelming sense of non-existant superiority, had deemed the Archangel the more important target than the mass of Loyalists fleeing. Zerachiel didn't mind bearing the brunt of the assault, if it meant that the others were free to leave from the battle, and this was the strategical error that Ariel had made, for the Angel of the Sun deemed one life unimportant to the life of the many.

But he would not die here today.

As the wave approached, building speed, Zerachiel closed his eyes. His heartbeat slowed, and his wings followed. He held his sword in both hands, the blade pointed down as if he were about to thrust it into the Earth of Heaven. Soon, the wave was upon him, and it seemed that there was no escape. In that moment, Zerachiel's eyes flashed open, revealing their piercing blue to have changed to a pure white, the pupils practically fading in to the rest of the eye.

Zerachiel lifted his weapon quickly and sliced down in almost one motion. The tip of his weapon touched the tidal wave, and what happened next could not help but make a few heads turn. The wave parted from some unseen Holy force, and it dissapated just as it past the Archangel, as if it had hit a wall.

The Angel's eyes slowly turned back to their original color, and Zerachiel could not suppress a small grin that edged on the sides of his mouth.

" We'll meet again Ariel, but know now what you face. Underestimate me, and you'll not live to see how this pageant plays out."

With that, he beat his wings again, dived down to join the rest of the retreat. It was going rather smoothly, and there were still some skirmishes in the area, but for the most part, Zerachiel's call for a withdrawal was being heeded. He bore himself to the Ministry of Raphael, and was told to proceed to the room that housed Malachi's shattered body. Looking on in half horror, half sorrow, Zerachiel knew that something had to be done to at least stabalize his condition, but he had almost worn himself out in the battle. Already the aches, pains, and overall drain on his powers were beginning to take effect, but perhaps he had just one strand of energy left.

While he was the Angel of Healing, his skill in the field was not as much as compared to, so say, Raphael, or any of the other Angels. Still, he had to try.

Letting his sword return to its scabbard, Zerachiel placed his right hand over Malachi's chest, focused the natural-energy he had been blessed with as a Follower of God into his palm, and let the healing aura flow into his comrade's body. He would not know its effects yet, and it would take a few minutes for it to truly become apparent whether or not it worked, so badly was Malachi burned, but he had done what he could.

He himself was exhausted, drained, and in pain. Zerachiel stepped back against the walls of the ministry, folded his wings in, and slumped against the wall, letting out a sigh as his bottom and back touched to cold stone.

Perhaps I will see tomorrow, for if the hosts of the Poisoner strike now, I surely shall not survive. . .~

OOC: I wasn't intending on having us die, both of us were gonna hit the ground and be knocked unconscious to be carried away by our respective sides.
But this works too. Plus it adds depth for later conflict.)


OOC: fair enough. Seemed like the kind of thing that would (if not kill us) at least incapacitate us both pretty badly. Depth is good.

Malachi coughed weakly. He could feel a single numbed area-in the shape of a handprint-on his chest, but the rest of his body was still in severe pain. The Seraph lifted his head, wincing a bit at what this did to his burned skin, and surveyed his body. He groaned. "I'd best be careful next time,"

Like any Angel, his body still obeyed the laws of nature... but not to the letter. He would heal, especially with the positive energies given him by other Angels. The aura laid upon him focused on his internal injuries... on the outside, he'd be at least somewhat disfigured for aeons.

He would see Astaroth about that. Soon.

Ariel swore.
It was highly irritating. Three of his tidal wave attacks were strenuous on him, and two of them had simply been dissipated. He had to remember, that those Archangels were pretty powerful.
But it wasn't like he had other techniques, as his once beautiful wings began to lose its feathers. After some time, they fell apart, leaving just the skeleton.
Ariel raised his hand, and the air surrounding him lifted him up, as he wen to talk with the other true ones.

~ And so the first battle had ended; The victor? No one.

Zerachiel lay in-between a dream state and the physical realm. In his vision he saw many things: the travesties which would unfold as the war dragged on.

He saw the Pearly Gates under fire, with infernal fire-spewing machines lashing out at the wall. He saw the Grand Temple ablaze, its priests and nuns locked inside, clawing at the doors to escape. He saw the plains of Limbo, once peaceful, now full of the dead and dying, with the sound of battle in the distance. And lastly, he saw a new Kingdom, a land of darkness and of the flame, ruled by a tyrant as worse as any, his power growing constantly as he solidified his hold on his throne.

Among all these dreams, one stood clear: Lucifer. Morningstar, Light Bringer, Poisoner, whatever be his name, he was there. His treachery would bring to light all that Zerachiel had seen.

All this the Archangel thought as his exhaustion was replaced by renewed energy.~

*bump* (don't want this to die)

OOC: aye, me neither. Just been busy lately.


Malachi had spent a long time-he knew not how long-in a deep sleep. (Raphaels helpers had sedated him, after he'd tried incessantly to get up and hunt down Astaroth.)

Pulling himself stiffly upright in bed, he called to an attendant Angel. "Please, sister, can you tell me if there has been any kind of large meeting of our chiefs?"

She shook her head, saying hurriedly, "You know, you really should still be asleep. In your condition-" she was cut off, impatiently, by the higher Angel.

"Perhaps. Soon. But first, can you call upon the other Seraphs for me? I know Zerachiel is partly our leader by default, but we all need to have some idea of our future plans." Looking at the maimed face of her charge, she realized he wouldn't rest unless she indulged him. He would never listen to a lower-ranking Angel, even if she did know better. Stifling a sigh, she nodded. Word would be sent out.

~ Zerachiel was already at Raphael's sanctuary when the word for soldiers was spread. He had been quite busy: organizing Angels, trying to keep the chaos of the first battle out of the minds of those who fought there, and, most imporantly, he had begun to train a small group of Angels in the arts of war. He taught them combat techniques, strategy, all aspects of defeating one's opponent.

He had taken a break from that training to respond to Malachi's call. He met with him where he had left him some time ago. At first, he was slightly taken aback at his appearance, but then, Zerachiel praised Malachi for his wounds: he was devoted to the Light in such a way that his body meant nothing.

" My brother," he began, stretching out his arms to embrace his fellow Angel, " I trust you have faired well these past few moons?"~

OOC: awesome, I was hoping this thread would come back.

The returned embrace was eager, and barely weaker than normal. Malachi suppressed the urge to wince after the contact with his burnt skin. He was recovering, but slowly.

With a bit of a cough, Malachi smiled. "Brother, with a fellow Seraph to speak to I feel stronger already. What's more important is the wider situation-I've been unconscious for too long. What has happened since? How do we fare?" Leaving no time to answer, Malachi jumped subjects with a snarl, "And what of Astaroth?"

~ Zerachiel held up his right hand to quickly silence Malachi's outburst.

" Calm yourself: Heaven needs patience and discipline, not uncontrolled rage. I will answer your questions as best as I can."

He paused, lowered his hand, and sighed deeply.

" Lucifer's hosts grow daily, when they will march upon us, I do not know. Not all of Heaven is agreed in striking against them either: some just want to leave the Poisoner alone, but I know that Lucifer will not be as passive."

He shook his head slowly, knowing that when the attack came, they may not be able to hold it off.

" The fallen. . . they've. . . changed. Their appearances have been altered and corrupted to suit their new master. As for most of those we believe to be key members of the cult, we have no idea where they are. That includes Astaroth."

He let this information sink in, then went on one last time.

" As for what's being done, I have taken some of those of the lower castes and trained them to fight. It's not much, not as large as the army of Morningstar for sure, but perhaps more will join us. Speaking of which, I came to see why you have summoned the Seraphs from the first battle. Do you intend on joining us in the defense of the Kingdom?"~

OOC: I'm writing my guy as a fanatic, which explains why he's been acting a wee bit nuts at times.

Shaking his head a little to clear it, Malachi answered.

"Yes, Zerachiel. I will serve the Host and our Lord till my last breath. I may have... overreacted in summoning you all. Can you forgive me, brother? I had thought the war effort would fall apart without me, that I could contribute something essential. The sin of pride is found even among our people..."

Catching himself before drifting down this worrying mental path, he switched subjects. "These changes in Lucifers followers seem unusual. Still, I would swear that I saw some of it during the battle. At least we can know who are honest and who are the enemy-to set ourselves upon the innocent would be a tragedy. Do your pupils have need of you, Zerachiel? If not, perhaps you would accompany me? I would have words with these weak-willed traitors who refuse battle."

Pullling himself up with a slight wince, Malachi stalked to the door.

~ Zerachiel turned and followed Malachi as he made to leave.

" Indeed, I will go forth with you. The hosts of Heaven must be made to see the tragedy which has befallen us, and be made to fight against the coming darkness. Only through unity will we triumph. . ."

The Archangel spread his wings and stepped outside. The sun shone brightly, reflecting the glories of Raphael's sanctuary back at the sky.

Such beauty will not last. I wonder: will it be this war which ends us?

Zerachiel pumped his wings a few times in slow, steady beats, allowing him to hover just above the ground.

" Lead the way, Brother Malachi, and let us turn the weak-hearted into Warriors of Heaven!"~