"You wouldn't dare destroy me!"

"You underestimate me, as always. Why do you think I created the Flaming Sword?"

"I thought, true to my uninformed nature, that you were being a mysterious prick―true to yours!"

"You have a choice to make. You can either save yourself, or your child."

Her body burst into light, until she was nothing but a human-shaped glow of divinity. Waves of heat radiated from her spectral form. Quick as lightning and bright as the sun, Goddess raced towards him and they collided. The hiss with which they were familiar erupted into an ear-splitting sizzle as her searing heat nearly skinned him.

"To hell with your child, then," God said calmly, as his body also exploded in light. Tirelessly, they sparred; rising into the air as each attempted to fight a deity to the death. "Did you intend to lead us down a path of destruction?"

"No. I just wanted to be in control this time."

God was flung backward, and he landed on his back on the ground.

"The rules of my universe preclude your victory. Surrender, so I don't have to disqualify you."

But he got up again. Simultaneously, they each raised both hands and attempted to blast each other with light; causing a shockwave straight up into heaven and all the way down to hell as their powers collided. And put their fight on hold when every shadow began to vibrate. At the same time, there was a strange cracking sound that filled the whole world.

They looked up, watching the shockwave of divinity smack into the sun―and it shattered, sending balls of fire spiraling throughout the sky.

"The City!" Goddess shouted.

"Look what you did."

"You fought back!"

"Because you made me."

They stumbled apart as the ground ruptured. It didn't take long for Michael to burst out of hell. "Mother, Father! What are you doing?!"

The world went dark, and the air began to cool rapidly. Michael stared at his parents as the unforgiving breeze tousled his wings.

"Okay, never mind any of that. I've got to save the star," God said, and vanished into light. He returned within seconds, carrying the Flaming Sword in one hand, and what looked like a jar with a single firefly in it in the other.

"What are you doing?" Michael asked, unable to look away from Azrael's blade.

"We've caused the end of the world. It's time to leave." God slashed a portal into the air. "Quickly now! Go!"

"Oh, for...God's sake!" Michael exclaimed, as he rushed into the portal. His parents followed, into a place filled only with the sound of tears...

Ella jerked in surprise as Corbett's hand suddenly curled around hers. She sat up straight, too quickly. Ignoring the head rush, she gawked down as Corbett opened his eyes. He groaned, closing his eyes again. Why was the light so intrusive all of a sudden?

After all, she was a goddess.

Who was hanging on to her? The hand was much too small to be her husband's or son's. She pulled her hand free.

"Holy shit. You're alive. I don't..." Ella's words ran out, and she pressed a hand against her forehead. "Holy guacamole. You're..." She interrupted herself with a laugh and bent down―

Goddess drew back as the bug kissed her on the lips. "I don't appreciate your greeting."

"What?" Ella asked, and started poking around Goddess' head. "No blood. Are you feeling okay? Do you know who I am?"

Goddess sat up, sparing her a brief, impassive glance. "Actually I do. The annoyingly enthusiastic scientist, right? You know my son?"

"Your―heh, your what?"

Goddess got to her feet, frowning at the bug. "Why are you so tall?"

Ella backed up, her foot connecting with something soft. And the lump grunted in surprise. She whirled around, staring as Pete began moving. "Oh, hell, no. Where's that guy? He needs to be shot again," she muttered, peering around the parking lot.

"Excuse me. I'm not done with you yet," Goddess said, tapping the bug's shoulder. "Much as I would like to be, but...by any chance...have you seen my husband?"

Ella gawked at Corbett for a moment, then began slowly backing away. "Uh, okay! Call me when my boyfriend reinhabits your body."

"Boyfriend?"

"Wife?"

Goddess turned, looking down at the confused stranger. "Husband?"

He raised a hand, and she effortlessly pulled him to his feet. They clung on to each other, inspecting one another closely.

"Well," God said. "I...did not see that coming."

A snort got their attention, and they turned to look at Michael, in his own body. "Oh, wow," he snickered. "Boy, are the other angels gonna love this!"