The night sky showed not a single star. The storm clouds blocked all celestial light and threatened to drown out the world below. Lightning flashed wickedly across the sky. Michael looked up at the display, readying himself for the Archangels.
Michael flicked his wings. He sensed their arrival. The Archs had flanked him. The time had come.
"I know you are here."
He heard a low, sinister laugh to his left. "Then you know it is best to surrender to us."
Michael continued to stare ahead, not giving the Archangels beside him the satisfaction of looking at them when he spoke.
"I have no intention of going with you." Michael spoke firmly.
The laugh shifted to his right as the other Arch picked up where his companion had left off. "So it is a fight you seek with us?"
"I did not say that. I said I had no intention of going with you." Michael continued to ignore the men beside him, refusing to spare them a glance.
Michael quickly stepped between the realms, appearing on the other side of the waterfall, allowing him to get a look at the Archangels he was dealing with. His Brother's warning was correct; these men looked large and dangerous. Their matching black armor, black wings, and weapons said as much about the men as Zerachiel did.
Michael noticed that other than their hairstyles, these men were identical in the way they looked, the way they acted, the way they moved. He hoped this would be an advantage to him. Michael did not get much chance to observe the Archangels other than his initial impression, as they quickly appeared again beside him.
"Samael, this one is going to make us hunt," the shorter-haired Arch snickered to his companion.
"You know we love the chase," the Archangel, Samael, had a terrible grin.
Michael stepped between the realms again, appearing nearer to Graenwood than the waterfall. These men wanted to hunt him? Then they were going to be in for a chase. He refused to go quietly. Michael would not make it easy if the Ruler demanded his return to the Kingdom.
The sky opened up, and the rain fell in a heavy downpour. The lightning flashed across the sky, allowing Michael to see that again, the men traveled between the Realms to stand next to him; this time, their swords were drawn.
"Catch him before he moves again!" Samael shouted over the storm, trying to catch his Brother's attention.
Hearing his Brother, Azrael attacked first, his blade reflecting a flash of lightning. His attack was dodged, the sword tip dragging into Michael's waistcoat as it missed its target. Azrael spun, using the momentum of his missed attack to launch another against the Seraphim. His second attack caught Michael in the back, hacking at his right wing near the joint at his back. Michael screamed, the laceration in his wing sending waves of pain through his body.
He refused to give in. Michael knew he could not allow himself to be taken in by these men. To lose this fight would be the beginning of his demise.
Michael stepped between the realms, appearing behind the Arch. He slammed his elbow into Samael's back, catching the Arch at the weak point in his armor, the part of his armor that was thinner to allow for his wings. The blow knocked Samael forward, allowing Michael to kick the Arch in the back of the knees. Samael buckled as Michael's boot came in contact with his leg.
The rain continued to fall. Azrael reached out toward Michael to grab his target and grasped the wing he had sliced. Thunder drowned out Michael's scream as the wound was opened further by Azrael's assault. The edges of Michael's vision threatened to fade.
Determined, Michael roared through the pain. The lightning flashed again as Michael swung around and slammed his fist into Azrael's jaw. The Arch reeled backward, dropping his weapon as he clutched at his face.
Michael dove for the sword as Azrael kicked it away. Samael's shield caught Michael in the side as the Seraphim leaped for Azrael's weapon, knocking Michael onto the wet ground. The hilt of Samael's blade crashed into Michael's ribs, knocking the breath out of the Seraphim.
Michael coughed, blood falling from his lips. He pushed himself from the ground, trying to get back on his feet. Azrael's boot slammed down on Michael's back, shoving him back into the wet grass. The thunder rolled. Samael knelt next to the fallen Seraphim and grabbed a fistful of his golden hair. The Arch pulled Michael's head back and snickered into his ear. "Surrender to us, Seraphim. You cannot best us."
Ravenna's face flashed before Michael's. His lips burned where she had kissed him last. He could not allow these Archs to take him back to the Kingdom. Ignoring the pain in his wing, back, and ribs, Michael struck out at Samael. His attack missed, but his sudden strike made Samael release his hair.
As Samael released his hair, Michael rolled and got to his feet. The lightning flashed as he stood as if the storm was celebrating his rise. Michael grits his teeth and holds his ribs. He shouted at the Archangel twins over the storm. "I will not join you! You will not bring me back to the Kingdom!"
Azrael and Samael launched themselves at Michael, who stepped between the realms to avoid their attack. Michael appeared twenty feet from where he left, knowing the Archs would trace him no matter where he went. The twin Archangels grew frustrated with the Seraphim; their target was not giving in.
Samael felt the electricity in the air and shouted over the storm. "Azrael! We have the Ruler's Blessing! Take him down!"
Azrael stepped between the realms, appearing behind Michael. He slammed his shield into Michael's back, knocking him forward. Samael appeared next to the Seraphim, and the Archangels stood on either side of Michael. Samael and Azrael raised their fists and swung their arms down aggressively, calling down the Ruler's Blessing, a bolt of electricity that hit Michael in the chest as he tried to regain his balance.
The electricity coursed through Michael, the voltage surging agonizingly through his body. He screamed again as the lightning burned his body internally. Every nerve was on fire. Michael's heart missed a beat as the electricity wound through him. He thought of Ravenna one last time as he slipped into unconsciousness.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Samael and Azrael stepped toward the fallen Seraphim. The angel looked pathetic at their feet, his right-wing tinted with his blood. The twin Archs flanked Michael, and Samael kicked the unconscious angel in the ribs.
"He's definitely down. Let's bring him back to the Ruler." Samael flicked his wings back, satisfied with his victory over the Seraphim.
Azrael grunted. He wanted to continue to fight. He pulled chains from his back and locked Michael's right wrist to Samael's left. Samael took the chains and locked the unconscious angel's left wrist to Azrael's right. Together, the twin Archs lifted the Seraphim chained to each of them and stepped between the realms, leaving the Mortal Plane behind.