Michael's mind flashed with vivid images of tearing the three elders apart, his rage barely contained beneath his stoic exterior. The urge to unleash his godly powers and obliterate them on the spot was almost overwhelming. However, a deeper emotion stayed his hand.
The memory of Eve, his best friend, and the guilt he carried over her death weighed heavily on him. He couldn't bear the thought of failing to protect Jasmine as well. Eve would have wanted him to save her little sister, and Michael was determined not to repeat past mistakes. This internal conflict kept him rooted in place, despite his desire for immediate retribution.
As he stood there, outwardly calm but inwardly seething, Michael realized the true nature of the battle ahead. While he was a god of immense power and cunning, these elders had spent over four millennia meticulously plotting against him. Every second of their long lives had been dedicated to finding ways to counter the Dark Lord.
