The Prophecy

Unrelenting power

When the light dissipated, Malik was kneeling on the ground, clutching his side. He looked up at me with a horrific expression. "What...was that?"

"I don't quite know myself." I told him honestly. "But like I said. I'm a High Angel. I suggest you do not further try to fight me and my comrades. You do not want to see what happens when I really feel like fighting back."

"It was never you that I was fighting. It was my brothers who dared to attempt to steal my bride from me." Malik made a sad endeavor to stand up, ultimately failing. Groaning, he continued in his efforts only to blunder each time he tried.

"Face it. You aren't powerful enough to overcome a blow from an angel of such a high authority. I could purify you, if that'd be easier for you. As I see it, you have a few choices. Become Pure again, be banished for all eternity, away from all forms of life, or be killed here and now. The choice is yours, but know that if you become Pure again only to fall and become a demon again, we will find you, and I'm afraid your choice won't be a choice anymore. What's it going to be? I can feel some remnants of the once-powerful Pure still inside of you. It's not too late to go back. Just give me the word and you'll be back to being an Archangel. If I were in your situation, I'd much prefer the option of becoming an angel again to banishment or death. There is no comfort in either of those options."

"Fine. I choose...I choose—" Malik began before being interrupted by Maxx beginning to stir. He commenced to speak faster. "I want to be Pure again."

"Very well." I nodded before rebuking the demon inside of him. "Demon, I rebuke you from this angel. I know not what path he will follow in the rest of his life, but he will at least be alive and happy. Now. Leave his body!"

Just like before, Malik's body rose into the air and began to glow. Wings arose from his back. One black and one white. Almost instantly, the black became white. A smile formed in his lips as he made his descent. He stood strongly on his feet.

"Thank you, and I'm sorry. I forgot how good it felt to have wings. Demons loose their wings when they make their commitment to the darkness. I guess it was controlling me."

"No need to apologize. It's alright now. You're Pure again, and you're brother will be joining you soon." I looked at Maxx. "Poor guy."

"Yeah...I feel really bad about that..." Malik approached his brother and helped him up. Knowing how heavy he must be, I wrapped Maxx's arm around my shoulder to help support him. One the way out of the castle, Malik called off his men and ordered two men to carry Michael back to the village.

We took the two to the village infirmary.  I grunted as we pulled Maxx into one of the patient beds.  Why did he have to be so stinking heavy?

"By the way, how did Michael pass out? I know it wasn't from injury, as Pures have the ability of regeneration." I asked Malik as we waited for them to wake up.

"He was using too much magic.  Angels can still be overwhelmed and pass out from exhaustion, you know.  It happens to the best of us."

"I still can't over how similar you look to Maxx.  It's so weird looking at someone that's looks almost identical to the man I love."

"We are twins, you know.  It kinda makes sense that we look alike.  You're really in love with him, huh?"

"Yeah. I guess I am.  It's like, if he died, I'd have nothing else to live for.  I'd give up my life for him.  Before him, I had never really known what it meant to love a man."

"Athena." One of the nurses, Melody, spoke softly.  "Maxx is awake.  He wants to see you.  Urgently."

I stepped inside the large room and found the bed that we had laid him on.  I grabbed his large hand.

"Hey." I smiled.  "We did it.  My people can finally experience peace."

He sat up and grinned.  "I'm glad.  I'd do anything to help you, but I need you to do something.  It needs to be done as soon as possible.  It literally means life or death for me.  If you don't purify me soon, I probably won't survive.  My brother's attack hit me right in the heart, and the Fallen can't regenerate like Pures can.  Do you have enough strength to do it? I understand if you aren't."

"Are you kidding?" I exclaimed.  "I always have enough strength to help you.  You are my strength.  Come on." I led him to a small clearing where no one would disturb the purification process. Father. Give me the words. I began the incantation.  "Dark spirit, leave the body of this angel that he may live in peace.  I will not let you weigh down on him in his current state.  He will be able to leave peacefully and happily with you out of his essence.  Now.  Leave his body!"

Maxx rose into the air and produced a strong light.  When it faded, Maxx was standing with new wings.  White wings.  He was Pure.  Three purification in one day. 

I began to collapse.  Maxx ran to be and held me before I hit the ground.  "You did it.  I'm Pure again." His eyes were the color of the sky.

I smiled as I drifted into unconsciousness.  As I slept, I was surrounded with a shroud of darkness.  It was trying to get to me.  Trying to get me to mess up.  Trying to make me fall.  My light power was unrelenting as it fought the darkness that I had no doubt was inside me.  I can't fall.  It's not possible.  Not for me.