Hi all! I'm finally back. This chapter continues where chapter 9 ended. Remember, chapter 10 was like an intermission. It was just some background info (but I hope you still enjoyed it!) Quick recap, Noma took Alex to Lucifer. Michael and Gabriel have been searching for them. They finally find them and it's not looking good. Noma is about to kill Alex.

"Lost Savior"

"Stop me."

Immeasurable pain racked her body. Her blood boiled. She strained against herself, desperate to escape. Her mind reeled with thoughts and images, her own but not summoned by her. She relived the horror of Father's disappearance, the moment she killed Alex's mother and stole him away, her sword poised above the infant, and every moment she had shared with Alex since then. She focused her energy and formed mental barriers around the one thought she must keep safe. He would know soon enough, but not before she completed her mission.

Michael observed the terrible sight in front of him. In just one second, though it felt like many lifetimes, he knew what was happening. The Son of Morning had possessed Noma and was forcing her to kill Alex. She had a knife pressed to his throat and held him against the cave wall with her other hand. Alex had flicked his eyes at the Archangels when they entered, but now he was focused on Noma. How long she had resisted, Michael didn't know, but the tremors shaking her body and the pain in her eyes made one thing clear. She couldn't hold on any longer.

The bond between the twins cackled with power, connecting them on a level that ran deeper than love. Gabriel instinctively knew what Michael wanted him to do, and he knew Michael would never ask it of him. To confront Lucifer alone was akin to suicide. Yet Gabriel would do it anyway. For the one who completed his soul, there was no task too great. He slipped into a meditative state and allowed his mind to drift along the edge of consciousness. He focused on Noma. The seconds ticked by, but he couldn't connect with her. He gritted his teeth, realizing he would have to search for the cord that would take him to Lucifer. It was nearly instantaneous. There it was, a shimmering cord of brilliant colors under a shroud of shadow. There was a faint outline of another cord within it, Noma's, pushing to the surface. Even through the shadow, Noma's cord shown a bright light blue. Gabriel faltered. Such a color indicated spiritual purity, not a trait typically associated with a traitor. Gabriel sent out his cord and made the connection. For a split second, nothing changed. Then, an immense power was thrust against him. Gabriel pushed back against his elder brother.

Noma let out a strangled cry and crumpled to the cold stone ground. She writhed in agony. The physical pain had been excruciating, but the mental abuse was pure anguish. She dug her nails into her skin, drawing blood. Noma wailed, her shrill cry tearing at her throat and echoing wildly through the halls and passages of the cave system. Her heart pounded in her chest and blood rushed through her veins. Never had she been as acutely aware of her gift of life as in the moment before death. She had been strong for so long, but her strength was spent. She couldn't resist Lucifer and she couldn't help Gabriel. Two Archangels in her mind was just too much. All she had to do was let go, dissolve her mental barriers, and let the power of the two magnificent beings erase her. She wouldn't complete her mission, but it had been a long shot from the start. Death had always been the likely outcome. Inside her, war raged on. She shuddered, preparing to let go. A sudden wave of strength flowed through her. She felt Gabriel's plea to hold on just a little longer. As mad as he had to be at her, he wasn't abandoning her. She threw all she had against Lucifer.

Michael moved swiftly. As soon as Noma fell to the ground, he dashed in. He ripped the chains holding Alex from the wall and caught him as he slid to the ground, head lolling to the side and eyes slitted, barely conscious. Blood trickled from a cut above his left eye. There were scrapes and bruises scattered along his thin frame. Michael heard a thump behind him and turned, still clutching Alex. Gabriel had collapsed to his knees. Michael left Alex leaning against the wall and drew a sword. It was time he finished what he had started all those centuries ago. He would not show mercy again. He waded into the still, dark pool. His ripples disturbed the mirror reflection of the roof of stalactites. He stopped beside his elder brother. He poised his sword high in the air, the sharp tip forming a perfect line to Lucifer's heart. Michael would have to destroy the body beyond any hope of repair. It's what he should have done before. With a final steadying breath, he plunged his sword down. Before the blade made contact, Alex grunted with pain. Michael spun around and threw his sword like a spear, pinning an eight-ball. More flooded the room. Michael ran back to Alex and Gabriel. He unsheathed his other sword and cut down the attackers, moving lithely in the tight space. Once he had cleared the immediate vicinity, he grabbed Alex and Gabriel and began pulling them from the room.

A tired sigh escaped Gabriel. The battle of minds had ended, but there was no clear victor. He had fared better than he hoped, but the burning rage in Lucifer had scorched him, left him feeling withered and guilty.

"You can let go, Michael," he said gently.

Michael stopped and released him. They smiled tiredly at each other, glad they were both unharmed. Ahead of them, eight-balls snarled, blocking the way out. They were only a few steps from the cave room. They looked back, searching for another way. Noma was still lying on the ground, shaking. Her dark hair pooled around her. She reached for them, eyes pleading.

"We can't leave her," Gabriel said.

"Fine."

While Gabriel went back for Noma, Michael surveyed the eight-balls blocking their path. He hoisted Alex over his shoulder. They would have to fight their way out. Michael pushed forward. Gabriel was closed behind, carrying Noma. Michael plunged into the mass of bodies. He shoved the eight-balls aside, banging their heads into the wet rock. Some got close enough to land hits, but Michael hardly felt them. Even handicapped by Alex, he still blocked attacks and took out his opponents. Behind him, Gabriel eliminated those he had shoved aside. Once outside, they immediately flew away.

The midday sun was bright and threw their shadows in sharp relief as they sped above the budding forest. Once the mountains were nothing more than a distant haze, they landed. Michael carefully set Alex down. Gabriel, on the other hand, dumped Noma in the dirt. She groaned and curled in on herself, still aching. Gabriel yanked her to a sitting position. She met their furious glares. Michael slashed at her, his sword a blur of silver. A line of blood dripped down her cheek. She held up a hand.

"Please, wait." Her voice was a cracked whisper. Her throat was raw from her screams. "Hear me out."

"Traitors have no right to be heard." Michael's voice was ice. He moved closer to Noma. "Hold her," he told Gabriel.

Gabriel paused. Why had she fought against Lucifer? Why had her cord, a direct connection to her soul, shown purity?

"What are you waiting for?" snapped Michael.

"We are missing something."

"Yes, just let me explain," began Noma.

Michael wrapped a hand around her neck, lifted her, and tossed her several feet. Fury flashed in his eyes.

"She betrayed us, exactly like you said she would. There is nothing more to know. Hold her."

Gabriel complied. Michael pressed his sword to Noma's throat.

"You disappoint me."

He made to kill her, but his hand stayed. He closed his eyes and sucked in a startled gasp. Light and love washed through him, filling him with peace.

"Father," he breathed.

He looked at Gabriel and saw tears in his brother's eyes. He had felt it too. The feeling had been fleeting, but the meaning undeniable. Noma struggled to her feet.

"Will you hear me out now?"

Michael nodded slowly. They took shelter from the sun under a cluster of pine trees. A cool, light breeze blew away the tension between the three angels. Alex, however, glared at Noma. She stared at the ground as she spoke.

"When darkness consumed Vega, a voice spoke to me. It was gentle and soothing, full of compassion and understanding. After the amphora was destroyed, the voice made me an offer. Bring the Chosen One to the Fallen and I would have wings once more. It was an enticing offer, but I didn't decide quickly.

"Alex and I were on our way to confront General Riesen when another voice spoke to me. It presented me with a task of immense proportions. Take Alex to him and uncover his plan. That voice, I would know it anywhere. It was him. It was Father."

Silent tears slid down Noma's face, mingling with the blood from the cut.

"His instructions were clear. Accept Lucifer's deal. Protect Alex at all costs. Don't tell anyone what I was really doing, especially you two. If you knew the truth and tried to help, the plan would collapse. Lucifer would never believe either of you would willingly join him. It had to be me. I was already broken. I had nothing more to lose."

Noma buried her face in her hands, the tears now flowing freely.

"I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you, but the risk was too great."

Michael moved to Noma's side. "I am so proud of you."

Gabriel came to her other side. "When we arrived, what was happening?"

"Lucifer had been showing Alex visions of what could have been, and what might be. But, Alex kept finding a way to escape, though at the time, he may not have known it. When Lucifer realized his initial plan to lull Alex into compliance wasn't working, he tried a new tactic. He described his creation and fall. It was a powerful story. I wasn't there when he told Alex, but he told it to me later. Everything he said was true, but it was a truth different from what I knew. After he shared his history, he told Alex what he wanted, needed. The Chosen One would heal the Fallen. I thought Alex would consent, would sacrifice himself in Lucifer's name, and I prepared to take him away. But he didn't. Lucifer became impatient. He searched Alex's mind for a weakness, something he could exploit. What he found was love."

Noma turned her gaze to Alex. Adoration filled her features. It wasn't returned. Confusion flickered across her face before she continued.

"Despite all that had happened, some part of Alex still cared deeply for me. Lucifer used it as leverage. He possessed me and threatened to have me end my own life in front of Alex unless he agreed to die to heal Lucifer. Still, Alex did not give in. When you arrived, Lucifer had switched tactics again. He would ensure Alex's death, either through sacrifice or murder. He would force me to kill him. He figured Alex wouldn't want me to suffer knowing I had killed him and would thus agree to the sacrifice. Either way, he would die."

The group sat quietly, digesting what Noma had said. Alex spoke first, bitterness lacing his words.

"Is it true? Did you kill my mother?"

Noma grimaced. She knew Lucifer had seen that moment in her memories, but had hoped he wouldn't share it.

"Yes."

Alex jumped to his feet and paced in a circle. Gabriel tried to defend Noma, but she nudged him to stay quiet. She may have killed the woman on his orders, but it had been her decision. She would deal with the fallout. She got up at went to Alex. She gripped his arms.

"Yes, I killed your mother. I thought your death would bring Father back and she was in the way. I was wrong and I am sorry. I can't change your past, Alex. I can only protect your future."

Alex glared at her. Her words fell on deaf ears. They did nothing to quell his anger. He stalked away. Michael attempted to follow, but Noma stopped him.

"Give him some space. He has a lot to work through."

"And you?" asked Michael.

"I'll be gone for a while," she said, skirting the question. She had a lot to work through too, but now wasn't the time. "It's better that way, at least for now. I won't return unless Alex asks me to."

Michael nodded and took a step back so Noma could unfurl her wings unhindered.

"I'll stay in touch." Noma launched herself into the sky. The light of the setting sun lit her wings afire.

Alex paced irritably. How much more would he have to give? He had lost his mother, father, childhood, lover, and child. Why should anyone, why should humanity, be entitled to what is his? Now it was his life, his future, others wanted. Well, they couldn't have it. He'd had enough of others controlling his fate. Now it was his turn and he would not relinquish control again.

Alex trekked back to the Archangels. He weaved between trees, surprised by how far he had walked. He had been so angry, he hadn't paid attention to where he was going. When he reached the others, he sighed in relief, glad Noma was gone. She had done nothing but hurt him. Alex planted himself in front of Michael and channeled all the authority he could into his voice.

"I'm staying here for the night. In the morning, I'll head for Vega."

He walked away and settled himself against a tree a couple yards away. He wanted space, but his training demanded he not go far. If they were attacked, better they were together.

They took shifts guarding throughout the night. All was quiet. Alex woke to the smell of cooking meat. A fire flickered nearby. He stood and stretched, working out the kinks from sleeping on the ground. He crouched beside the fire and warmed his hands. The air was damp and cool. Dew on the leaves and grass sparkled in the early dawn light. Mist was suspended above the ground. Alex suspected Michael had gathered the wood for the fire during the night. It was probably why Alex wasn't as cold as he should have been. Michael always planned ahead like that.

Alex plucked the meat from the fire and nibbled on it. He stared into the flames and let his mind drift over the drastic changes his life had taken the day Jeep died. None of this would have happened if the angels hadn't of left Heaven, and they wouldn't have left if God hadn't abandoned them. Maybe Lucifer had a point after all, not that Alex intended to switch sides. He did feel like he was finally beginning to see the situation for what it was: a divine mess. These powerful beings were having family problems and Alex the human was their psychologist. Bit of a poor choice really, given the state of his family. Alex shook his head. Dwelling on his misfortune wouldn't change it.

Across from Alex, Michael appeared between the trees. He crouched on the other side of the fire.

"I'm sorry, Alex. I failed you yet again."

Alex grunted.

"I should have been with you. Each time I entrust your care to another, you have been hurt."

Alex glared at him. "I don't need a babysitter, Michael. I can take care of myself." He got to his feet. "I'm going back to Vega. Do what you want."

Michael watched Alex's retreating figure sadly. The young man was not himself. His time in Lucifer's clutches had affected him deeply, and Michael blamed himself for that. He put out the fire and followed Alex. Gabriel was scouting but would catch up quickly.

Alex led them through the desolate land at a reckless pace. The Archangels weren't in danger, but Alex was pushing himself too hard. He was still weak and should have been conserving energy and moving cautiously. Instead, he would randomly break out in a run or jump distances at the edge of his reach or take them through difficult areas. Michael never took his eyes off Alex. Likewise, Gabriel kept a watchful eye on their surroundings.

When they finally hit a road, some of the tension left Michael. They were on a highway. Abandoned vehicles littered the lanes. Alex scoured a few vehicles. When he found one that still had the keys in the ignition, he got in. After two false starts, the truck roared to life. Michael took the passenger seat and Gabriel in the back. Alex couldn't help but notice how seamlessly the two Archangels worked together. They didn't need to communicate. They moved like one entity, shifting in sync with each other. Alex didn't bother questioning why Gabriel was with them. He still trusted Michael, even if things were a bit off between them. Alex knew he was being rude, but he couldn't seem to stop. As they sped down the highway, his emotions whirled around him as quickly as the landscape outside the truck slid past.

They drove for two and a half hours in complete silence before they ran out of gas. Alex grunted as the truck spluttered to a stop. They were on a long straight stretch and the nearest car was only a faint glimmer a mile away. Alex opened his door and dropped his feet to the ground. The impact shook through him. He grabbed the door to steady himself. Already, Michael was beside him, tottering between giving Alex the space he wanted or the help he needed. Alex gave him a tired smile. It was all the reassurance he could muster. He pushed off the truck and began the mile long walk. He was slower this time, realizing he needed to be careful not to tax himself. Behind him, the other two followed.

Michael clenched, opened, clenched, opened his hands. He didn't know what to do about Alex. He wanted to help him, but didn't know how. A frown turned down his mouth. He felt Gabriel nudge him and looked over at his twin. Gabriel's calm demeanor and compassionate expression soothed Michael. Normally, Michael was the calm one. In some ways, it felt good to not be in control and let his emotions show. Like always, the twins balanced in each other. Michael hadn't realized how much he had missed his brother for the past twenty-six years until they were together again. Even with the turmoil, he felt complete.

Ahead of them, Alex suddenly crouched. A trio of eight-balls had walked out of the woods and was crossing the road. They paused when they saw Alex and the two Archangels, curious. They quickly lurched towards them. Alex held back, letting Michael, who had already sprung forward, deal with the attack. One of the eight-balls slipped past. It was faster than the others. It leapt for Alex. Gabriel tried to intercept, but stopped when Alex held up a hand. Alex wrestled the eight-ball to the ground and locked his arms and legs around it. He began to chant the eviction.

Gabriel watched in awe as the tattoos swirled about Alex's arms and across the skin of the eight-ball. Though he knew Alex could do this and had experienced it, seeing it happen was incredible. He looked to Michael for confirmation. Michael nodded and turned back to Alex, eyes alight with pride.

Alex furrowed his brow. He spit the words of the eviction out between clenched teeth. The tattoos swirling on his skin itched and burned as they clawed their way to the eight-ball. Every eviction left him with a bone-deep ache, but this one was exceptionally tiring. He gripped the squirming eight-ball tighter and focused harder, drawing on his frustration and anger for strength. The eight-ball made an odd rasping in its throat and then let loose a piercing shriek. It went limp in Alex's grip. The soul of the lower angel trickled out of the body and hung lamely above its former host. Alex eyed it cautiously. It drifted about aimlessly, becoming more and more transparent. Deciding it wasn't much of a threat, Alex returned his gaze to the body in his arms. He shook it lightly.

"Come on. Time to wake up," he muttered softly.

He shook the body harder and studied the eyelids, watching for any movement.

"He's not waking up. Why won't he wake up?"

Alex looked to Michael, hoping his mentor would have an answer as to why this eviction hadn't brought back the human soul like with Pete.

Michael heard Alex, but was too preoccupied to answer. He didn't know what to say anyway. The light that was the soul of the lower angel was dimming. Then, when it was too faint to be seen except by the keen eyesight of higher angels, it disappeared completely.

"Impossible," said Michael.

"It's gone, destroyed. It isn't in the Ether," said Gabriel.

Alex let go of the body and stood, moving until he was in front of Michael.

"What's going on? What's wrong?" His voice edged into panic.

Michael was still staring at the spot the soul had disappeared. "The lower angel. Its soul is completely gone, erased from existence."

Alex was numb. That wasn't how an eviction worked. Destroying souls wasn't part of the plan. Taking away someone's eternity wasn't a responsibility Alex wanted. Still, he could handle it if Michael was there to help him. Finally, Michael met Alex's confused gaze. Michael's face made Alex's heart shatter. It was just like when he had found him in New Delphi, only a thousand times worse. Michael's face was contorted in fear, and maybe just a hint of repulsion.

Alex stumbled back. He glanced down at his forearms, tracing the lines of his tattoos. What had he done wrong? He looked back at Michael. Seeing his expression hadn't changed, hadn't been a trick of the light, Alex turned and ran.

"Alex," cried Michael.

The Chosen One kept running. Michael tried to follow, but was held back by a strong grip on his arm.

"Give him time. He'll be alright."

"How do you know?" asked Michael, voice distraught.

"Because you raised him to be strong, like you."

"Don't you see, Gabriel?" Michael gestured to the dead human. "If he doesn't save us, he destroys us."

Dan waited patiently in the empty warehouse. A door banged behind him. He spun around.

"Hello, Danilo."

"Hello, Bookie. Don't suppose you'll tell me your real name?"

The other man smiled. It wasn't overtly malicious, but it still made Dan shiver.

"Not a chance."

"What are you doing, Bookie? What game are you playing?"

"No game. I'm doing what is best."

"Do you really think you will win the election?"

"I know I will. It is inevitable."

Dan didn't like the sound of that. Confident mobsters were confident for a reason. "Oh, yeah? Why's that?"

"You know I always have an Ace up my sleeve. Have I ever lost before?"

"Before we were on the same side."

"Aren't we still?" Bookie's unnerving smile was still in place.

"I'm not sure. You're crafty, Bookie. I haven't forgotten."

"As are you, Graveman. I haven't forgotten either." Bookie ran a finger along a scar on his neck that disappeared beneath his dark red silk shirt. "I should have died that day. You saved me. You made it past all the guards and traps, a seemingly impossible feat. I know better than to underestimate you."

Bookie turned and left. Dan watched him leave and ran a hand over his buzz cut gray hair. He headed to the barracks to meet up with Sgt. Mack. The sergeant had really stepped up in the past few weeks. Today he was training a new batch of soldiers. Many survivors had been inspired to take up arms after the attack on Vega. Most lacked skill, but made up for it with determination. Dan waited while Sgt. Mack instructed his group to conduct a set of exercises. Once finished, he joined Dan.

"They're really not terrible. I swear," said Sgt. Mack.

"You've done good work with them."

"How did the meeting go?"

"As expected. He didn't say much. We'll have to keep a close eye on him. How's the guard detail?"

"Whele means business. I didn't understand his plan at first, but now I get it. He's winning them over, slowly, one person at a time, but I see it happening. Riesen better have something spectacular planned."

"I hope so," said Dan.

In House Riesen, General Riesen was pouring over every piece of information he could find. Stacks of papers were on every surface. Maps were spread across the glass dining room table. Some areas were marked with an "X" and had scribbled notes sprawled to the side. General Riesen sat at the table, cross-referencing a road map to a topographical map. The infrastructure of Vega would soon collapse and a relocation plan needed to be in place by then. They needed somewhere defensible but accessible, hence the cross-referencing. He was looking for somewhere with a difficult-to-traverse landscape but with a road for access.

A knock rattled the door. Riesen stuffed the maps and notes in an almanac and dropped it in a desk drawer. The door opened just as he closed the drawer.

"Edward, how goes the campaign?"

General Riesen surveyed Whele. He looked energized. Vigor flushed his cheeks. All his loss and he still bounced back. Riesen, once a proud man, felt tired and drab in comparison.

"Good. Numbers are where I expect them to be. You?"

"Swell. Better watch out. Your reign may soon be over."

"It should have never been a reign. Vega needs a leader, not a dictator. Be careful, Whele. The people may love you now, but we both know it never lasts."

"Don't you worry, old friend. This will be the best election in twenty odd years," Whele said with a wink. He scanned the stacks of papers and the hastily shut drawer. The corner of a sheet stuck out. Whele nodded in farewell and left.

Once he was alone again, Riesen rubbed his forehead. He didn't feel like Whele was the right leader for Vega, but he wasn't sure he could keep up.

Surprised? What can I say? I was feeling the Noma love. Honestly, I'm really nervous about what you think of this chapter, both Noma's story and the first signs of the darker side of the Chosen One. And does it make sense that God doesn't know exactly what Lucifer is planning? I realize God is usually described as all-knowing, but I figured if anyone could circumvent the omnipotent creator, it would be Luc. Plausible or not?

As for you Michael fans, it has been pointed out to me that I've made him a bit flippant. In review, I agree. Eventually, I'll revise past chapters to make him more stoic. The story line won't change though.