A/N: Finally, my board exams are over. Truth is, I was writing this on the eve of the first day of the exams just to stop myself from a crying jag. (Like my other mates were doing. Kami! The exam was hard!)
I think I have to apologize because last chapter was such a bore (even I thought it was lacking) and so I hope that this is enough as a peace offering.
My acknowledgements go to the following:
Thepinkmartini: well yes, the fic itself is rather very complicated. Thank you for the constant reviews. Huggles!
EiRist-chan: I'm sorry for the sudden end to last chapter. The thoughts for last chapter suddenly stopped then I realized that when I tried to continue, the scenes weren't suppose to happen until the next chapter. I hope this update is good enough. Hehe
Aki-chan: Don't fret about not reviewing every chapter. I understand that readers have important things to do too. It's enough for me to know that you support the fic. (Of course, that doesn't mean I don't love seeing reviews. I absolutely do) I know what you mean about the "Art" missing from the previous chapter. It was short, uninspired and rushed. I thought I was going on another sabbatical so I updated that despite the fact the it was half-polished. Anyways, I hope this chapter redeems me. And I hope your revalidas turned out well. *hugs and kisses*
Satomika-chan: Community duties are pain! Ooohh… wait until you get assigned to mental institutions. They are absolutely going to turn your world around. I love Ginji as Raphael too. Imagine the hilarious moments he could have with Fuuko.
Purple ferry girl: thank you for putting the fic in your favorites section. Very much appreciated.
Standard Disclaimer still applies.
Other God by Anne Raven
Chapter 8: After Fire and Ash (Rain and the New World)
Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.
-Isaiah 26:19
It is time.
The first echoes of war came with the dawn. And as hordes of demons assaulted the garden I named Eden, I commanded the gates of Heaven to open and release the Heavenly Host fearlessly led by the Council.
My young Lilith was already expecting this but she had no desire to partake of the mayhem. Displaying an accurate knowledge of Eden, she knew the perfect place to watch and wait as I watched above them all.
The Garden of Eden was quickly bathed in fire as angel vanquished demon and demon conquered angel. The land I created to become paradise turned into a wasteland covered in smoke heavy with the scent of sulfur.
The twang of bowstrings resonant as arrows soared through air finding their marks while groans of agony chorused and blades sang a song of death. The ground was immediately covered by ash as casualties, both of angel and demon kind, increased in number.
From ash I made you; there, you shall return.
In this cacophony who knew that an angel could hold truce with a demon?
In the middle of this once glorious sanctuary stood a Tree and on one of its many boughs sat the first of My daughters. One of the Seven Archangels was there as well standing beside the Tree. These two I watched eagerly as they spoke of the things to be done.
"Such a shame that the battle had to happen in Eden. Don't you think so, Gabby?" Lilith said as she looked down from up the Tree.
"I thought you hated Eden." He told her in the serious tone he always used with others.
She laughed a short soft chuckle as she shook her head. "I don't hate Eden. I loved Eden. I was just lonely in it."
Gabriel nodded. "Is there no way you can call off the attack?" He asked looking up the Tree to where she sat.
"None that would not arouse suspicion. There are many things that we agree upon, Gabriel, but this is one request I can not say yes to. If I do, Lucifer will punish me. And I don't enjoy being punished by the Dark Lord." Lilith beamed at Gabriel.
That smile was filled with dark humor almost malevolent in its wake. It was making him very uneasy until an explosion somewhere in the east side of Eden boomed.
Both leaders whisked their heads towards the source of the sound.
Lilith snorted. "That was probably Beelzebub. He loves to play around with grand things like explosives." She explained to Gabriel.
Gabriel narrowed his eyes at Lilith's explanation. "I think Raphael took on Beelzebub."
"Damn!" Lilith cursed lowly as she turned towards Gabriel. She could not help but be very concerned for the angel she called 'brother'.
"Isn't there anything we can do to stop this?" Gabriel asked.
"There is one."
Lilith alighted from the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil and stood beside Gabriel. She ran a hand along the bark of the Tree. She loved that Tree. She took care of it the moment I brought her to Eden. It was her friend, the closest thing connecting her to Heaven, the home she should have lived in.
"We have to burn down the Tree." She said wistfully.
Gabriel was thinking deeply. This is one decision he could not make.
"Gabriel, the only rule the Father gave me regarding the Tree is to never eat its fruit. He never said anything about burning it down." Lilith reasoned. "Think fast, Gabby."
"Lilith, this is not something I could decide upon. It's definitely out of my hands." He replied.
It was then that I intervened. A bolt of lightning from the heavens struck the ground near the base of the Tree searing the grass it hit.
Lilith smiled. "There you have it, Gabriel. It is decided. Now come, Archangel of Fire. Light the Tree and leave the rest to me."
The heat of the battle momentarily ceased as every demon and angel noticed and watched the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil burn. The Garden of Eden was thrown in utter chaos. There were those who chose to continue the battle. There were those who tried to escape with their lives. Some of the demons banded. Some of the angels regrouped.
Both factions were awaiting orders from their superiors. But the Archangels and the Princes were still locked in epic battle. None of them would give way. None of them could rush to the Tree.
Seeing that the job is done, Lilith turned towards Gabriel and unsheathed the demon sword Nyx.
"What is the meaning of this?" Gabriel asked truly confused.
"Relax, Gabriel. I am not going to hurt you. This sword was made for me from the fires of hell. Take it." She said calmly holding the hilt of the sword towards Gabriel.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow wondering why she was giving him her sword. She shook her head in frustration seeing that the Archangel did not understand the importance of her action.
"Sometimes, you are too good. Take Nyx then stab me. We should at least fake that we had a fight. Gather the angel and drive away the demons. Tell them you defeated me and that when we fought, the Tree caught fire."
How do you come up with these things?" Gabriel asked her.
"Lying is natural when you're a demon. Creativity helps a lot too." Lilith grinned and took a deep breath.
She swung Nyx towards herself giving herself a bloody wound at her right side. She added another one on her left thigh.
"Enough, Lilith! Give me Nyx." Gabriel commanded as he took Nyx revolted at the sight of Lilith mutilating herself.
"I'm used to pain. This is nothing compared to the… usual." Lilith laughed as she handed Nyx over to Gabriel after which he left to group the angels and ostracize the demons.
Lilith busied herself by examining the extent of her self-inflicted wounds. She clutched the gaping wound at her side to staunch the bleeding and started treating them with the herbs Asmodeus told her to use for wounds like these.
While she was tending her injuries, her ears picked up the sound of faint footsteps coming her way.
When she turned towards the source of the sound, south of the Tree, Archangel Michael emerged at the fringe of the clearing.
"Look here. I search for Asmodeus, I find Lilith." Michael said with a smirk. "I bet your demon lover is running around Eden looking for you but he won't find you… alive."
"Michael, Michael… Sometimes, I wonder if you would make a better demon than I do." Lilith quipped.
Michael sneered. "You'll never know. Fight me!"
Lilith's eyes roamed. Half of her was in panic. The other half was busy making contingency plans. Michael was a seasoned warrior long before she wielded Nyx. There was no way she'd win direct confrontation against him.
Out-classed.
Less experienced.
Weaponless.
Wounded.
The list could go on for all she cared. Even her ability to control the Air element wouldn't hold against his power over Fire. Air feeds fire. How lucky! She thought ironically.
She knew she had to avoid facing him one-on-one. Although, she was willing to bet she was better in hand-to-hand combat. One way or another, she had to make him lose his weapon.
Lilith moved to put as much space between her and Michael as he circled the burning Tree. Lilith struggled to keep the Tree between her and the Archangel. She matched his pace while she formed various plans in her head. Yes, there was a way for her to escape this. But the plan would only work if…
Lilith took a step back. And another. She was preparing to run. Michael saw this sudden change in direction and anticipated her sprint. He was willing to give chase until the 'Queen' was defeated. He was determined not to lose against her.
Lilith ran as fast as she could. Her feet hardly touched the ground. But she knew Michael was hot on her heels.
The Archangel followed like a hound on the hunt. She was fast. That he had to admit. He was already flying but she still managed to keep a good distance from him. So when he finally caught sight of her, he doubled his efforts and beat his wings harder. And when he was close enough, she fishtailed and sent a spin-kick towards him, knocking him over.
Michael had been in situations like this before and so, he did not stay down for long.
He stood up and lunged in one sinuous motion. The suddenness of the attack surprised Lilith. In the process, Michael was able to nick her cheek.
Lilith messily wiped the blood off her cheek with the back of her hand. He was close… Close enough. She converted the said motion of her hand to a flick of a finger which sent out a gust of wind. It lifted various debris and ash off the ground momentarily blinding Michael.
In that short span of time, Lilith grabbed Michael's sword arm and twisted it so that he would let go of his sword. And when he did, she took it and flung it far where it embedded on a tree some twenty meters away.
"Impudent she-devil!" Michael hissed as he struck her and she fell.
He snapped his fingers and sparks of fire flickered to life. This was something Lilith forgot to plan for.
She shut her eyes tight waiting for the inferno to consume her.
But it never came.
When Lilith opened her eyes, she saw a wall of ice that protected her from Michael's flames.
"I told you not to hurt Lilith." Samael said.
Samael stood beside the tree where Lilith flung Michael's sword. He yanked the sword free from the bark and proceeded towards the two. Michael didn't take his eyes off Lilith lest she escapes but he was highly aware of Samael at the same time becoming very wary of him.
Samael kneeled beside her and stroke her cheek healing the wound Michael inflicted.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
She did not answer. She simply looked straight into his eyes. Samael immediately tore his eyes away from Lilith and looked at Michael.
"If you insist on hurting her, I would have to stop you, Michael." Samael uttered.
"Why are you so persistent in defending her? I really don't understand this, Samael." Michael replied. "You know this will not improve your probationary status, more likely worsen it."
"Probation?" Samael asked in confusion.
"No one told you? You have been a naughty angel, Samael. If Gabriel did not intervene for you, you would have been cast out." Michael said coldly.
Lilith flicked her finger and sent a blade of wind towards Michael in an attempt to stop whatever speech he was planning to say. But the Archangel responded quickly and snapped his fingers which sent tongues of flame that collided with Lilith's assault. Michael charged towards her but Samael blocked his way.
"Why do you always do that?"
"The why does not matter. I know I have to. So if you're adamant on hurting her, I'll have to stop you." Samael said as he handed Michael his sword.
Michael and Samael stood facing each other.
"Be careful." Lilith whispered as she gently pressed a palm on Samael's back.
He nodded without taking his eyes off his opponent. Samael took a cautious step forward. In a fraction of a second, Michael charged and slashed aiming at Samael's vitals. Samael parried and their blades connected showering them with sparks from the impact.
Samael flowed from one pose to the next showing a ferocity Lilith did not know he possessed. Michael blocked and lunged, parried and riposted with the same fervor. Lilith had a vague impression a fight like this had happened before.
Occasionally, Michael would send out tendrils of flame. Samael shielded himself with a wall of ice or a veil of water. Lilith would have enjoyed such superb display of swordsmanship and skill if she did not know both of them wanted to seriously maim the other.
They lost track of the time they fought as they continued their dance of death. The other Archangels gathered to watch. Lilith could no longer feel the presence of the demons save for one, Asmodeus, who watched from afar. Samael and Michael seemed to be evenly matched that none of them dared to predict the victor of this bout.
But sometimes, luck has a say on who wins and who loses in a battle. As Michael blocked an aggressive thrust from Samael, the angel lost his footing and dropped on one knee. Samael took this opportunity to slide his sword towards his opponent's throat with supernatural speed.
"Samael, stop!" Lilith shouted as she appeared between the two combatants. "You are not going to kill. Not for me." She pleaded as she pushed him away from Michael.
Children…
Look around you. The battle has ended. Pacify yourselves. Lay down your arms.
I came as a pillar of light streaming from the heavens to mediate this nonsensical fight. I extended an arm over My children and took their weapons away.
Lilith…
I faced her as I called out her name.
Amongst My daughters, I loved you first. As your Father, I want nothing more than what is good for you. Atonement is part of that good. And for all of your wrongdoings, your penance will be equally made. Do you accept this new burden?
"Yes, Father. I had long prepared for whatever punishment you deem me worth." She replied.
Then your punishment is as follows:
You will be stripped off all your powers, those that I gave you and those that the Devil pretends to bestow upon you.
You shall lose your wings once more as they have become an overt symbol of your corruption.
You shall forget who you are, everything that had happened to you so that you could start anew.
You shall die and live again with no knowledge of your past.
Dearest daughter, I shall give you the freedom to decide the course of your life, neither angel nor demon… only yourself.
As I gave Lilith her judgment, I drew out her soul, the very essence of her being while her physical form fell into ashes beneath My feet. I sent her soul to the sky to await rebirth at the right time. And I saw her smile at her newfound freedom.
"Lilith…" I heard her name escape as a whisper from Samael's lips.
I turned towards him.
Samael of the Seven…
I will not pretend. I am disappointed with you, son. You allowed your emotions to best your judgment.
"I am sorry, Father. I truly did not intend to kill Michael but I can not let him hurt her." That last word was spoken softer than the rest of his statement as he humbled himself before Me.
You do know you made a mistake.
"Yes, Father."
Then, you are aware you must be punished.
Samael's head snapped up and faced Me briefly before bowing again. "Thy will be done."
For failing your probation and for the attempt on Michael's life I pass this judgment:
Because you have fallen, I shall take away your wings with it your Archangel status and all the powers you were given during your creation.
Because you attempted to kill out of fury and not in the sense of duty, I give you death. But I will save your soul until the time comes that you shall walk the earth once more.
Now sleep, My child. Be patient.
I lifted a hand and held Samael shrouding him with the light I emitted. And when I let go, Samael was no more.
The rest of the Council faced Me awaiting the next command. Some of them were uneasy. Some were merely indifferent but I knew that all of them felt profound grief over the loss of a brother. And in the deeper recesses of their hearts, a sister as well.
"Father…" Raphael whispered.
Go ahead, Raphael. Tell Me what bothers you.
"Was it necessary for them to be punished so?"
Both of them made mistakes, son. Although they had been caused by the purest of reasons, they were still, in any way you look at it, mistakes. Therefore, they had to be punished. Besides, it's the only consolation I can give her for everything she suffered. And the only way he'll ever find himself again. It's the only way I can bring them together.
I looked around and saw nothing but fire and destruction. And as My eyes pass the burning garden, the two figures standing, watching, learning the secrets of the past were engulfed by a final light and vanished.
Yes, they will meet again someday.
But for now…
Gabriel…
"Yes, Father?"
Go to Noah and tell him to board the Ark. It's about time to bring down the rain and extinguish this fire.
-TBC-
A/N: Wow… that was long… I hope no one gets confused but I'll explain anyway. The chapter was written in a first person POV. The voice used was, of course, God's. It's why the chapter also seems as though it was written in third person omniscient. The italicized lines mean that they were spoken by God.
This was in no way proof- read and I have no beta readers as I do not want to burden anyone with the task of correcting my very many typographical errors. Ahaha…
I'll be waiting for a review so hit that review button… now…
-Anne Raven
by the way... Belated Merry Christmas!