The tiny demon, seeing that Michael paused, took the chance to scamper off. Michael paid it no mind and turned to the source of the voice. He frowned at what he saw. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find decent staff down here?" said the one who stood before Michael. It was none other than Asmodeus. "Politeness and decency are for decent people, not for vermin like you and your kind." Michael said, his tone colder than a winter storm. Asmodeus smirked at that. "You wound me Micheal. Is that any way to talk to an old friend?"
"You lost the privilege of calling me friend eons ago. Now enough with the chatter! *Points blade at Asmodeus.* Where is he?!" Michael growled. "Oh? So you aren't here to visit me?" Asmodeus said in a relaxed manner.
Michael's frown deepened. The sword he had pointed at Asmodeus erupted into golden flames. "Where is he?" he asked again, his tone much more threatening. Asmodeus rolled his eyes. "Fine, if you insist on being a rude guest, then I'll simply be an awful host." Asmodeus said as he clenched his fists and set them ablaze with pinkish-blue flames. Michael narrowed his eyes and charged at Asmodeus.
_ _ _
Back in the dungeon, Gabriel could be seen pacing in his cell. He had sensed the heavy angelic aura the moment it appeared. He was relieved by its presence; after all, it meant heaven had sent someone to his rescue! And judging from the aura's potency, it was someone powerful. Though all the demonic energy in the environment made it hard to determine exactly who it was. He waited quietly as the aura approached. Then he frowned when he felt it clash with another aura. This one was darker, sinister, and most definitely demonic. But to Gabriel's relief, the aura was weaker than his saviour's. The darker aura quickly retreated, but oddly, it moved toward the dungeon. Gabriel panicked a bit as it got closer and closer untill.....
*BANG!* Something broke through a dungeon wall. "Gabriel! There you are!" The dust settled, revealing the form of Michael. "I'm sorry I didn't make it to you earlier. All the demonic energy in the atmosphere dampened your aura." Micheal said then paused. He looked around for a bit before shaking his head. Asmodeus was nowhere to be found. Gabriel smiled at the sight of Michael. "There's no need for apologies. I'm just glad you are here. I knew Heaven would send someone powerful, but I wasn't expecting it to be you." Gabriel said. "Well, who else would it be?" Michael said as he sheathed his blade. "I ran into that traitor on my way here. Lumiel, I mean. He was foolish to challenge me. But thank Jehovah he did, because he inadvertently led me to you when he was trying to escape." Micheal said as he approached the cell. 'Was it really unintentional?' Gabriel thought to himself. Michael stretched out his hands to grab the bars. "No, wai-" Gabriel tried to say, but Michael grabbed the bars and ripped them out of the wall. "You were saying something?" Michael asked as he threw the bars away. "Nevermind." Gabriel said.
"Well, it's time to get out of this Godforsaken realm. A celebration in Heaven awaits your return, Gabriel! It's best not to keep them waiting. Come, let's go." Micheal said as he took off, Gabriel right behind him. The demons, paralyzed with fear from Micheal's power, didn't bother to stop them. It didn't take the angel long to fly out of the castle. Micheal's power protected Gabriel from the flight restriction spells around the castle. Within seconds, the two angels were millions of miles away from the castle. As they got closer to the golden portal that brought Michael here, Gabriel started to think. He recalled Michael mentioning that Asmodeus had led him to the dungeon. Was it really unintentional?
X X X
"I know it doesn't count as an apology, but I hope it can serve as a start.''
X X X
Asmodeus had said that with such a warm expression. 'Maybe he's not completely far gone. Maybe there's a little bit of Lumiel in there after all-' Gabriel didn't get to finish his thoughts before he felt a horrible pain in his back. The pain was intense and flooded his mind. He looked behind him to find an arrow lodged in his back, right between his wings. "Gabriel!" Michael yelled and grabbed Gabriel. The quick, sudden movements caused the flower on Gabriel's chest to fall, fall into Hell's unforgiving embrace. As Micheal carried Gabriel through the portal, Gabriel glanced back. He saw Asmodeus. The demon held a bow and waved, a cruel smirk on his face. Light from the portal flooded Gabriel's eyes. Then darkness wrapped around him, and he lost consciousness.
+ + +
Arcadia, the once mighty kingdom, was no more. The king and his people didn't change. So, as promised, the Almighty's judgment came down on them. Every single man, woman, child, and animal in the kingdom was dead. For those with the worst sins, their deaths were much more brutal than for others. What caused their death, nobody knows. Some say it was a plague, some say the Angel of Death paid them a visit. But regardless of what happened, one thing became true. Arcadia is lost. Nearby kingdoms took its wealth and resources. Its glory is now buried in the sands of time.
_ _ _
Back in Hell, Castle MorningStar stood as proud as always. In her throne room Lilith could be seen. She wore the same bathrobe from earlier and her ankle-length white hair and crystal horns gleamed thanks the room's lighting. She lounged on a couch as she was being served by an Incubus, who massaged her feet, and a succubus who fed her some grapes. There was a knock on the door. "Enter," Lilith said. At her command, the door swung open. In walked a strong demon guard. He had a bull's head, leathery bat wings, and a scorpion tail. In the demon's arms was a certain small demon. The demon guard dumped the tiny demon unto the floor, bowed and took his leave. "M-M-Misstress Lilith! I beg of you! Mercy! Have Mercy on me!" The tiny demon pleaded. He was caught trying to flee the castle and was dragged back. Lilith has many rules for her subjects. One of the rules stated that abandoning the Castle while it's under siege, rather than fighting, is a major betrayal. Loyalty was the main thing Lilith demanded from her subjects. The other is unflinching obedience.
"There, there little one. I understand. You were afraid, weren't you?" Lilith said kindly as she grabbed the tiny demon, put him on her lap, and embraced him. "Y-Yes, I was Mistress, please! Spare me! The demon sobbed as he melted into Lilith's embrace. "Don't fret, I understand," Lilith said as she leaned into the demon. Then, she whispered into his ear, "Unfortunately, I despise those who abandon me the most." The demon didn't even get to utter another word before he crumbled into dust in Lilith's embrace. Lilith sighed and reclined back onto her couch. The succubus wiped away the bits of dust on Lilith's bathrobe.
"My Queen, pardon my boldness, but may I know why you helped that human kingdom rise to power? And why you captured the Messenger but made no effort to keep him away from Heaven's clutches?" The succubus asks, curious. Lilith smirked. She opened her palm and a glowing, white feather manifested, floating above her palm. "Patience me child, all will be revealed in good time....."