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Chapter 34 - Ethereal

As the battle raged on, the tide of the conflict continued to turn decisively in Gabriel's favor. His God Strength, an embodiment of divine might, fueled his every move with relentless power and unwavering purpose. Asmodeus, the Prince of Lust, found himself struggling to match the Archangel's overwhelming strength and resolve.

Their close combat became a testament to Gabriel's mastery of the God Strength. Each swing of his colossal sword seemed to cut through the very fabric of reality, leaving trails of radiant fire in its wake. The dark energies that surrounded Asmodeus, once a source of his power, now crumbled before the might of divine authority.

Desperation etched across his face, Asmodeus attempted to evade and parry Gabriel's relentless strikes, but his movements grew sluggish. The Archangel's attacks were relentless, a relentless barrage that forced the demon prince to step back, yielding precious ground with each passing second.

Realization washed over Asmodeus like a cold wave. His earlier confidence and mocking demeanor had crumbled in the face of Gabriel's unyielding strength. The God Strength had become an unstoppable force, carving intricate patterns of light into Asmodeus's dark armor.

With each clash, Gabriel's power surged, and the battlefield became a frenzied spectacle of light and shadow. The Archangel, fueled by righteous fury and unwavering determination, now held the upper hand in this climactic confrontation. The fallen angel had underestimated his opponent, and his arrogance had become his greatest vulnerability.

Yet, Asmodeus was not one to concede defeat easily. Summoning the last reserves of his infernal energy, he managed to create a brief reprieve, a momentary lull in their furious clash. As their eyes locked, both combatants, exhausted but resolute, knew that the final moments of their epic battle were upon them, a culmination of divine and demonic power that would determine the fate of all they held dear.

In the climactic clash between Gabriel and Asmodeus, where divine and demonic powers collided with unmatched intensity, a sudden turn of events unfolded. As Gabriel found an opening, his resolve unwavering, he harnessed his energy to unleash a devastating attack. The Archangel's sword shimmered with divine radiance, a harbinger of unparalleled destruction.

However, just as Gabriel prepared to deliver the decisive blow, a new player entered the fray. Mammon, one of the seven Demon Princes and a formidable force in his own right, arrived swiftly and intervened to protect Asmodeus.

With a flourish of his dark energies, Mammon shielded Asmodeus from Gabriel's impending attack. The clash of power was titanic, the very air crackling with the volatile mix of divine and infernal forces. Gabriel's strike, intended to be a cataclysmic finale, met its match in the demon prince's formidable defense.

The sudden arrival of Mammon added a layer of complexity to the already chaotic battle. Asmodeus, seemingly at the brink of surrender, had been saved from the brink of defeat by this unexpected ally. It was a testament to the intricacies of the demon hierarchy and the alliances that existed even among the most malevolent entities.

As the dust settled and the energies dissipated, the battlefield bore the scars of their monumental confrontation. Gabriel, though still pulsating with the divine God Strength, had been thwarted in his pursuit of Asmodeus. The demon prince, thanks to Mammon's timely intervention, had narrowly escaped Gabriel's devastating attack.

With the balance of power in flux and the fate of the conflict uncertain, the stage was set for further twists and turns in this otherworldly struggle between angels and demons.

Asmodeus' frustration seethed beneath his words as he demanded answers from Mammon. "Mammon, what in the depths of hell are you doing here?"

Mammon, his expression a mask of calm calculation, met Asmodeus' fiery gaze without flinching. "I'm doing what's necessary, Asmodeus."

"What's necessary?" Asmodeus sneered, his anger bubbling. "I had him right where I wanted him. I could have crushed that angel."

Mammon's eyes flickered with a shrewd intelligence. "And what if you couldn't? What if that angel's newfound power turned the tables? We can't afford to underestimate him."

Asmodeus growled in frustration. "I don't get it! He was practically on the brink of death, and then he changed!"

Mammon leaned closer, his voice a venomous whisper. "Don't you see, Asmodeus? That's precisely what makes him dangerous. We can't predict his capabilities now."

Asmodeus clenched his fists, torn between his thirst for vengeance and Mammon's pragmatic caution. "We could have killed him together, Mammon. With our strength combined—"

Mammon interrupted, his tone unwavering. "No, Asmodeus. The risk is too great. We need to withdraw, regroup, and plan our next move carefully. This angel is no ordinary adversary."

Reluctantly, Asmodeus nodded, though his resentment lingered like a simmering ember. "Fine, Mammon. But mark my words, this isn't over."

Their exchange hung in the air, fraught with tension and unresolved issues. The battlefield bore witness to the complex dynamics and shifting alliances within the demon hierarchy, where ambition and rivalry simmered beneath the surface of their partnership. Mammon's decision had a broader strategic perspective, while Asmodeus remained driven by his desire for vengeance and the need to prove his might.

With that, they departed, leaving behind the scars of their conflict and an uncertain future where alliances could change as swiftly as the winds of destiny.

Uriel's vision blurred as she struggled to regain her footing. The searing pain in her shoulder from Asmodeus' poison-laced whip was nearly unbearable. She knew she couldn't stay down; her comrades needed her. Summoning every ounce of her remaining strength, Uriel pushed herself off the ground, determination etched across her face.

Asmodeus and Mammon were already retreating, their malevolent laughter echoing through the battlefield. Uriel's eyes darted around, searching for Gabriel amidst the chaos. The Archangel with God's strength had pushed himself beyond his limits, and the consequences were dire.

In the distance, Gabriel staggered, his form wavering as though reality itself was warping around him. The immense power of the God Strength had taken a toll on his mortal vessel, far beyond what he could endure. His eyes, once ablaze with divine energy, now flickered with exhaustion.

Uriel's heart clenched as she watched Gabriel fall to one knee, then collapse entirely. Her wings, once the symbol of her heavenly heritage, remained dormant, for they could not be used since their fall from grace. She began to sprint towards him, her footsteps echoing in the battlefield.

Every step was agony, but her determination to reach her comrade fueled her forward. With a final burst of effort, Uriel reached Gabriel's side, her hands trembling as she cradled his head in her lap. She gazed down at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and gratitude. "Gabriel," she whispered, her voice raw with emotion.

Gabriel's eyelids fluttered, and he managed a weak smile. "I... I did it, Uriel. I protected them."

Tears welled in Uriel's eyes as she gently stroked Gabriel's cheek. "Yes, you did. You showed us all the true extent of your strength. But now, it's time to rest."

Uriel extended her arms, enveloping Gabriel and herself in a shimmering cocoon of ethereal flames. The healing energy emanating from her fiery embrace began to mend their wounds and alleviate the poison's effects. She focused her energy on ensuring Gabriel's recovery.

Time passed slowly within the fiery cocoon, a sanctuary where Uriel's unwavering determination and power mended what was broken. Gabriel's vitality gradually returned, his breathing steady once more.

As the healing flames faded, Uriel withdrew her arms. Gabriel's eyes, now clear and filled with gratitude, met hers. "Thank you, Uriel," he murmured, his voice stronger.

Uriel smiled, her heart filled with warmth. "Rest now, Gabriel. We've won this battle, and we'll be ready for whatever challenges lie ahead."

With a final, grateful glance, Gabriel closed his eyes, succumbing to much-needed slumber. Uriel stood, her strength renewed, and looked out across the battlefield. The demon horde had retreated, and the humans they'd sought to corrupt were safe for now.

The battle was over, but the war against the forces of darkness persisted. Uriel knew that her unwavering determination and the newfound strength Gabriel had unlocked would be essential in the struggles to come. The fallen angels would continue to protect humanity and confront the darkness with resolve, guided by the enduring power of their unity and the strength of their spirits.