Grand Angel

Chapter 36: A Rematch

Ash-Shaytān was gritting his teeth as he continued to hold back Michael's punch. Staring deep into the covered eyes as he fell to one knee, his body still weak from their previous fight.

"Brother! Enough!" Ash-Shaytān screamed.

Michael was trying to push harder.

Gabriel and Raphael watched on, their wings beginning to retract from their bodies and disappearing back into their torsos.

"How do you feel?" Raphael asked.

"Strange. Anger and violence is escaping my mind." Gabriel replied.

Remiel was shaking, still holding Abil-Ili close. She very slowly tried to get to her feet, her six wings continuing to wrap around their body as more and more tears ran down her face.

Ash-Shaytān shot his arms outward. A flash of light and sparks left as Michael was pushed backwards. His feet grinded into the ground, leaving long trails that were flaming and turning the rock ground into glass and diamond.

"You will not kill this boy! And you will not hurt our Sister!" Ash-Shaytān shouted.

Michael's body was twitching, as if possessed by a force greater and stronger than him.

His mouth was foaming.

His eyes were still obscured by his top pair of wings while the other two pairs were floating and bouncing softly despite him standing still.

"He..." Michael's voice sounded distorted. Filtered. As if another voice was attempting to speak with his.

Ash-Shaytān's eyes went wide, realization finally setting in.

"No...it can't be." Ash-Shaytān said.

Michael was twitching more, his body lunging forward so quickly that he nearly became invisible.

All that was seen by Raphael and Gabriel was a thin line that moved through the air.

Ash-Shaytān couldn't move out of the way, or Remiel and Abil-Ili would be killed. He stood stoic and strong, his own wings extending outward and wrapping around his body.

A violent and powerful strike causes him to fly backwards and crash into the ground, leaving another deep trail in the ground.

Remiel's wings shot outwards, quickly flying off towards the mountain as Michael saw her.

He crouched down, preparing to jump, but Ash-Shaytān suddenly flew towards him.

Michael jumped up, but his waist was grabbed and he was slammed back into the ground with the force of a meteor.

Michael's back became sliced open, the golden liquid now coming out thick and black. Like tar was leaving his wounds.

Ash-Shaytān rose to his feet and stared down at the horrifying sight.

"No...he can't be awake now." Ash-Shaytān whispered to himself.

Michael got on his hands and knees, panting while spitting out more black liquid onto the ground. Covering his hands and staining them.

Ash-Shaytān reached his hand out towards Michael.
"Brother, please. We need to work together, and I need your help. There is something dangerous coming this way." Ash-Shaytān said.

Michael turned to stare at him.

His wings were weakened, feathers missing and coated in black blood. His face soaked in his own dark liquid, his eyes obscured by soaked and ruined wings.

"You...are...a fraud." Michael said.
Ash-Shaytān pulled his hand back, allowing Michael to get back to his feet.

"I do not wish to fight you, but I will defend myself against your blinded rage." Ash-Shaytān said.