Heaven and Hell: The Final Battle

“I need your assurance that you won’t pose a problem, Michael.”

Raguel’s voice sounded at my left flank. Keeping my gaze fixed ahead, I clenched my jaw tightly. I didn’t want to give Raguel the satisfaction of looking at him.

“There is no problem.”

“Your head and your heart must be in this battle.”

“I said... there is no problem.”

“Isn’t there? She’ll be among their ranks, you must know that.”

I nodded tersely, surveying the wide expanse of the battlefield before us.

“I’ve heard rumblings that she now enjoys a high position of power - one of the Grand Dukes of Hell.”

I fought off a growl that I felt brewing deep within my soul. If I wished to know of her undertakings, I would inquire with Jeremiel. He was the angel charged with keeping abreast of such matters.

“In any case, she follows the path of Lucifer, now. You must not forget that.”

I turned my head sharply, and glared at him, “I will never forget.”

How could I ever forget? Her betrayal will always be fresh in my mind. The once good and beautiful Naamah... now a fallen angel.

“That’s all I needed to hear, then,” Raguel began, “Are your angels in position?”

“My squadron is always at the ready. You’ve no need fretting about them, Raguel.”

All too soon, the demon army appeared on the horizon and the din of hellish battle cries was carried by the wind. Raguel and I drew our swords in anticipation. I called out to Ariel, my second in command, and she nodded once before transforming into a lion. Though I thought it strange, Ariel preferred to fight with claws rather than swords. Her peculiar style didn’t hinder her on the battlefield, so I didn’t begrudge her that.

The demon army advanced, drawing closer every minute. I steeled my nerves, preparing for the moment I would have to face Naamah. I had not laid eyes on her since first she succumbed to Lucifer. Suddenly, the demons charged letting loose the most bloodcurdling cries. The angels charged, too, meeting the evil ones halfway. Despite all previous preparations, my breath hitched at the sight of Naamah; she was leading the charge. Her appearance was much changed since our last meeting. Naamah’s hair and eyes, once a soft brown, now seemed to be composed of fire itself. Her wings were now bony and leathery, instead of the white feathered wings characteristic of an angel; she had sprouted beastly horns atop her head.

All around me, my fellow angels sprang into action. The clang of metal, sword crossing sword, filled the air. In my peripheral, I glimpsed Ariel in lion form, lunge at a particularly heinous demon. Blood, guts, and various extremities flew with reckless abandon.

With ease, I deflected simultaneous attacks from multiple demons. I am Michael, an archangel. I don’t sit at God’s right hand for nothing. However, when my sword clanked against Naamah’s, I froze. Despite my earlier promise to Raguel, I lost my wits. My brain instantly flooded with memories and nostalgia, with little room for all else.

I remembered when Naamah and I would walk the gardens of Heaven, whispering sweet nothings to each other, or make love among the clouds. Angels are not permitted to love. I was foolish enough to think we could hide our romance from God, the all knowing. It was Naamah who pointed out how feather headed that was. God knew. God had always known. I recalled how Naamah used to smell like lavenders, her favorite flower.

I thought all this in a single instant, before Naamah’s sword came crashing down toward me. I beat her back with brute force, raising my sword high... but I hesitated. I knew in my heart, I could never bring harm to Naamah. For a fleeting second, our eyes met. She used my weakness to strike, running her sword straight through my ribcage. Gasping one last painful breath, I smelled the familiar aroma of lavenders.