Chapter l BornAgain

"What I've felt what I've known Never shine doing what I've done Never free Never me So i dub the Unforgiven" -Unforgiven The silver sky crackled over the grey water and the cold winds carried the sands along the shore. Lightening flashed and waves crashed against the rocks, a tail of fire churned into a spinning cylcone a burnning flame. The fiary pillar grew tall and scorched the ground beneath it. Then a beam of light shined down from the sky and hollowed the pillar of fire. In a blinding flash of light the fires, parted and the winds subdued, and there he kneeled. He reached down and touched the sand, how many centuries it had been since he could feel anything but pain and torment for his sins. He stood up, and his tall lean muscular body stretched for the first time in ages and the grey wave reflected in his dark eyes, and made them look like glass. A chilling wind blew through his thick dark hair that hung just above his sholders, as he tried to remember what happend last before his painful afterlife, but his memories were a blurr, they were bits and pieces of memories running through his mind but they all seemed so far away. A painful flash ran through his head and brought him to his knees in anguish, he saw himself there standing on the ledge of the cliff over his city, watching it burn, then he saw himself throw himself off the cliff and into the fires. Had that been his last moments? he thought to himself trying to sort the chaotic images in his mind. Another flash of light came down, and there another young man kneeled. He was dressed in fine all white garbs, and his pale blond hair hung straight over his sholders, his bright blues eyes seemed to have a strange glow, and his very skin itself seemed almost luminous. Six great wings spread from his back. "Hello Gabriael" the man said with his back turned towards Gabriael as he faced the grey sea. "Hello Salem" Gabriael warmly spoke. The man wondered to himself for a moment, Salem.... was that my name? Yes. Salem never faced Gabriael, but spoke to him."The last time i saw you, you and your brothers cast me down to eternal damnation, after the life long promises of salvation. For what reason does your lord bring me back now?" "Eternal damnation and sepparation form His grace, was your just and fair punishment for your sins Salem, but yet here you are" Gabriael smiled and continued "But its not by the Almighty's doing you are here" Salem never moved but questioned "Then why are you here?" and Gabriael stepped forward, " To deliver a message for the Almighty. Our Holy Father offers you redemption Salem, and his eternal grace and love, with ever lasting life among those in Heaven shall be yours should you prove yourself worthy with this task" Salem cut him off and spat bitterly " For centuries I bled and broke under the filthy perching claws of the harpies! For centuries i wandered endlessly through the burning sands! For centuries i suffered in the frozen lake of Judecca! Why

would i do any task for the so loving lord that judged me there!!" Gabriael paused, but then warmly said "Oh rebellious son, for what happend that day, all manner of angels, and our Lord himself turned his back to the world, for none in Heaven may ever weep. For the sins you bore you could never be allowed into our gates"- Salem cut him off once again "but the gates of Dis welcomed me to their torrment!" Gabriael never broke his angelic smile, "Salem our Lord and Holy father offer you a chance at redemption, so that you make take your rightful place among us" Salem took a deep breath and composed himself for a moment, " And for this salvation, what is my price?" Gabriael's face became serious at once "Lucifer has sent you here to prepare for the coming of his own foul son, Lucian, and usher in the end of all things good and pure. Should you slay this beast, the Sancifiying Spirit shall come upon you and absolve you of all your sins, then you shall live forever in sanctifying grace by our side" Salem pondered for a moment, broken half memories ran through his mind but they were difficult to make sense of. Regardless going back to his eternal punishment in the inferno wasn't what he wanted, not that he cared what happend to the mortal world, maybe it was his place before, but that was centuries ago, centuries that made him colder, so what if they all died? Salem thought to himself, its not like it mattered, all mortals die eventually anyway. But he had now a chance to escape his eternal torrment, he couldn't let this opportunity slip by. "And how am i to slay the prince of hell when the time comes?" Salem asked. Gabriael smiled "Have faith in our holy father above, and he will give you all the strength you need" The very thought seemed to make Salems blood begin to boil, shaded memories flooded his mind, and a strong sense of betrayal and resentment grew within him. How could he simply have faith, after centurie of punishment and torrment, judged from a life of obedience and servitude only to be forsaken at the end his long journey. Salem took a moment to compose himself again then asked "and what is to become of me should i fail this task?" For the first time Gabriael broke his smile and a sharp seriousnesss took over him "should you fail Salem, Heaven shall offer no shelter for you, you shall be dragged back to to inferno where all manner of demons shall see you as a traitor to them, and all your punishment and torrment shall be a hundredfold, carried out by the fallen firstborn himself" Salem thought for a moment, beyond any doubt should he take this crusade against Lucian, failure was a dreadful morbid thought. Still, even though there seemed little hope of success, if he could somehow defeat Lucian...Salvation would be his. Finally after some time he answered " I will take this crusade Gabriael, but hardly for the sake of the mortal world, or even for your Holy Father." Gabriael smiled. "Good", he said as if unphased by Salems alterior motivation. Seek out the one called Virgil to the north, he shall give you direction in your quest for absolution." with that Gabriael turned his back and spoke one last time "and Salem... lose not faith in the Lord, for he still has faith in you" then he arched his back and spread his great wings then took flight, and in another flash of light he disappeared.

Chapter ll The Watcher

"Your falling faster obey your master your life burns faster obey your master" -Master of Puppets

As Salem walked along the grey shore and felt the chilling waves wash at his feet, he tried to make sense of the broken images in his mind. There was still so much he didn't remember. He remembered that he served the Holy Father in his life, and he vaguely remembered the bitter ending to his mortal life, but so much was still missing from his memories. For now he decided he would follow the cause that the Holy Father had laid out for him, but his loyalty to the deity that had shunned him before was not as strong as his own desire to escape his eternal damnation. Salem hadn't walked far when he caught the familiar scent of the damned, soon after he saw the pool of dark abyss sprawl across the wet sand and a tall dark figure emerged from it. Two huge ink black wings spread from its back, and it stood up showing its full height and, ancient tattoos and markings covered nearly every inch of its pale skin and long ink black hair hund down to its sholders and in front of its face. As it raised its head he revealing his dark souless back eyes and the black marks that covered his sharp angular face. Salem relized who he was, and a sharp quiver of fear ran down him, as he uttered-"Samael" Samael was among the most powerful and feared of all the fallen, and demonic power seemed to radiate from him, he was among the most ancient of all creatures, and among the original fallen, cast out of heaven in Lucifer's rebellion. He was among Lucifers favored and often acted as his right hand in governing the inferno. Even though Salem did have the most instinctual fear of Samael he would not show it, he did not remember much from his past life, but the warriors instincts inside him were more than well embetted into him. He stood his ground. "I see you made it back in one piece" Samael spoke. "So it would seem" Salem spoke calmly "Care to explain why my eternal damnation is being postphoned?" Samael took a step closer to him and instantly Salem felt a tension run through him. "Lucifer has a mission for you. Soon Lucian shall arrive in this world, and the End War shall begin. You are to serve as his General on this front to carry out his orders and lead the infernal armies in this world" Salem winced in confusion for a moment "Why me?" he asked. "Your his favorite pet, why dont you lead his armies? or have you lost your dark masters favor?" In an instant, Samael flashed and had Salem by the throat, holding him off the ground, choking the life out of him. "Watch your toung insect!!" Samael roared and demonic rage flashed through his eyes "I am among the most powerful of the Fallen! and i answer only to Lucifer himself!! Salem felt the life draining out of him, and his vision began to blurr as Samael's

burning hand continued to choke him. As he looked into the now burning red eyes of Samael he saw the fallen warrior snarl as a dark pulse ran through Samael, that seem to get his attention. Samael released Salem throwing him across the sand. "I would delight in burning this world to a nothing! Starting with you!" Samael growled. " but it seems your master wont let you just yet" Salem coughed, and slowly returned to his feet. "truly a pity" Samael snarled "My kind were never ment to inhabit this world, thus the longer i stay here, my power would begin to fade. When the Gates of Peter fall I will lead the Fallen in destroying the Holy armies. Baal the cheif of demons will raise our legions in the inferno, and cover that front, but neither Fallen, nor demon was ever meant for this world. But you Salem" he grinned "you were once mortal, you walked this world as before as living flesh" Salem interupted "but that flesh was burned and devoured by your kind!" Samael smiled again "and how delicious you were. Its not often we get one touched by HIM" he winced on the word, being unable to say his name " that is judged to us. You were one of the innumeral damned souls that were judged to eternal damnation after a life spent here in this world. Your power will not fade here. So you will lead the legions of damned to take this world. Now do you understand?" He hissed. "You, Baal, and Myself, A damned soul, a Greater demon, and a Fallen, will each lead the war on our appointed fronts and Lucian will be our supreame commander" Salem could not help but feel the smallest bit of recognition, the resentment he felt in the Holy Father and all the Trinity could not be ignored, and revenge for the still unknown, but strong sense of betrayal he felt towards all in Heaven did have a certain appeal. Still he had concerns though "My power won't fade here?" he asked. "what power? The gifts i was in endowed in life, by the father, have been long since lost, after my mortal death. And here i stand again, reanimated flesh and blood, but nothing more. Am i to lead the endless legions of damned as nothing but a mortal?" he asked. Samael again lit his sinister smile and stepped forward as he hissed "Rejoice! Our master has seen it fit to endow you with some of his own great power! you will find it all you need and more to lay waste to this pittiful world." The with blinding speed Samael had Salem by the forearm, and Salem fell to his knees as he felt the surge of demonic power course though him. He felt an unbelievable strength, burning like a fire within him and radiate though his body. It almost overwhelmed him, and he found that he lost his breath for a moment and gaspt. It felt incredible. "And here i half expected to not to survive it" Samael spoke bitterly. "You like this power dont you? you feel its call, it seduction." "yess" Salem uttered in pure ecstacy. "Its only a taste of what you shall have should you serve him well" then Samael smiled another eerle smile and in a flash of fire and a wicked sword materialized. "Behold Ragnarok, the blade that ended the war of the false and pagan deities, may it serve you well to end the life of this filthy world as well" Salem took hold the blade, it to coursed with demonic power and seemed to call to him. "Now listen" Samael spoke. "Lucian is a level of higher immortal that cannot be slain. But He" he struggled on the word again has placed one on this world who is able to take that immortallity. Before Lucian comes to this world you are to find this person marked by Him and ensure that their mission fails by whatever means necessary to ensure our conquest. Now go." Salem was still on his knees in the wet sand, still trying to catch his breath from the incredible power that he felt. As Samael stepped back into

the pool of sprawling darkness he hissed his final words "And remember Salem... I will be watching. " and then Samael disappeared through the same dark abyss through which he came.

Chapter lll Seduction

"Caught up in this madness to blind to see the animal feeling in me it took over my senses and i lost control I'll taste your blood tonight" -Scream Salem continued along his path to the north where he felt the faint precense of an elder being. But what Samael said about watching him troubled Salem. He knew the sight of the fallen and damned was obscured at best, they had perfect range of all things past, and foggy but visible sight of the ever changing future, but little view of the present. Which ever side he decided to serve, keeping it to himself would be vital. The power he recieved from Samael was incredible, unlike anything he had ever felt He did want to fufill his mission to the Holy father, and be welcomed into paradise, but the power he felt and the promise of more and to rule in hell was more that tempting. Regardless of what he chose, he needed a direction to go. He decided he would continue to seek out the elder Virgil to the far north as Gabriael instructed, and plot his next course with the information he would get from him. Salem walked for days, far past the dead gray shore where he met Gabriael and Samael. He had wondered into the wastelands where the ground was parched and cracking, but still he saw no sun. Only gray clouds covered the sky as far as the eye could see, and it made the flat expanse of parched clay and dirt in front of him look gray and dead also. Even the air here was dry and had an bitter taste. Broken images of the world he left behind, that seemed so vibrant and alive flashed through his mind, and he wondered if this gray world, bitter and empty, was humanity's punishment for their sins, or if they had stripped the life from the world themselves through the negligent waste of the earths gifts, or if they scarred it to nothingness through centuries of meaningless wars. Far off in the distance, against the colorless horizen he could see the northern mountains, and in them he felt the faint prenense of an elder. He continued his trek through the lifeless lands, but as he crossed the wasteland he felt another demonic power take shape in the distance, this one unlike Samael was not fallen, but demonic in origin, but far less powerful. He felt it moving towards him at a rapid pace. Not sure if it was another messenger or something else, Salem wasted no time as began to close the gap between them. Soon the beast came into view, a heaving lesser demon, its bulking and mishapen body shivered with anticipation at the chance of fresh flesh to feast on. Salem knew these lesser demons were not capable of much thought of there

own, but more often sent by Fallen and greater demons with one track missions to the kingdom of man. Whoever sent it did not matter much now, Salem knew what the beast wanted, to feast on his flesh. It howled and broke into a sprint with its glowing yellow eyes fixed Salem. Its dark black, bruised looking skin bulged with vains and sweat and it open mouth dripped with drool through rows of jagged teeth. As the beast ran towards him, Salem proclaimed "beast you know not what you do, but you will regret taking this task from your master" but he did not draw his sword, but rather stabbed it into the lifeless ground to fight barehanded. "I will fight you as an equal, i need no weapon to dispatch such vermin." he proclaimed. By this time the beast had reached him and leaped at him, it claws ready to tear him assunder, but Salem found his new found power, gave him abilities he had not before had. He caught the beast in midair by the throat, its snarling mouth choked, under Salems new strength, and he effortlessly slammed the demon to the ground, making a small creater under them. The demon lashed out at him with flailing arms and raked Salem's face with its claws. Salem felt a flash of rage he was not familiar with, -how dare this worthless creature break his skin- he thought, and then he grabbed one of the beast flailing arms and ripped it from its gruesome body. Black ichorr spurted and gushed, melting and sizzling the ground it touched, as the beast howled in agoney. Salem unmounted the demon kicked it hard from his feet. He felt satisfaction in makin it suffer a slow death, as if to further tease the infurriated demon, Salem raised its severed limb and licked the black acidic ichor that seeped from it, thought it hardly stung his toung somehow. The demon howeled again and rushed at Salem again, this time Salem reared back and swung at the beast's fowl head with its own severed limb, it conected with an audible crash, and the demon yelled in pain as its own blood from its arm burned holes in the skin of its dark face. The demon then roared and began to tremble as a new arm sprouted out where its old one was severed. Salem was through playing with it now, he took his stance and prepared to lunge at the demon to rip its head off and send it back where it came from. He lunged himself at the demon, but right as he got close to it, it roared and let out a burst of demonic energy that sent a shockwave, striking Salem and landing him on his back. The demon jumped on him, and Salem barely caught it before it sank it drooling fangs into his throat, the demon was furrious and radiating demonic power it did not have before, whoever sent it must have seen it failing and endowed it with more power before it was defeated. Salem struggled to hold it back, its rows of jagged teeth hovered closer and closer to his throat. But then he felt something within him burning, like fire deep within himself, burning, growing, and consuming him. The burning within him grew stronger, almost un bearable, it felt as if everything inside him was on fire. He no longer cared about the demon anymore, the fire inside him was all he could think about. He let out an earth shattering scream and eruppted with power, power that felt good, like all the hate and anger within him was being turned into this power to take revenge on everything that had crossed and betrayed him. The demon was blown black and Salem hovered above the ground as a new being, something much stronger, something more primal, something filled with the all the hate and resentment of all the damned in hell. Like this he felt no pain, only power. He felt voices within him screaming to destroy the demon. In a flash he was in front of the demon and grabbed both its armes then kicked the demon with unearthly force, ripping off both its arms this time, its foul blood shot everywhere.

but before the demon stumbled back and fell over Salem was behind it, and thrust his hand through its back and took hold of it beating black heart. He squeezed it and took pleasure as the paralyzed demon howled again in horrible agony, before ripping its black heart from its chest. The demon fell the to ground utterly limp and in unreal pain, but still alive for the moment atleast before salem stood over it. Fear , something demons did not often feel, took hold of it, it howled in misery but as it opened it mouth Salem shot his hand into it picked it up by its mouth, then with all his might threw the beat as hard as he could, never letting go of his iron grip, the demons head remained in his hand as its severed body hit the ground. Salem took wicked joy has he watched its body go up in flames as its still living head relfected all it pain. Finally he lit the head on fire also and watched with sick pleasure as it burned to nothing. After this Salem felt the fire within him slowly subside, and the voices within him quieted for the moment. Like he was coming back to his senses after a gruesome high, something about what happend scared him, but at the same time, it felt so unreal, the feeling of invincebility, the seduction of it all the power he felt. Some part of him desperately wanted it again.

Chapter lV Direction "as I burn another page

as I look the other way I still try to find my place in the diary of Jane" -Diary of Jane Days past as Salem crossed the wastelands. Though with his new powers the demon he killed posed him little threat, still he wondered who had sent it. Lesser demons hardly thought for themselves, and more often were sent by Greater demons, and Fallen to the realm of man to accomplish simple missions like tracking, or murder. Someone had sent it to kill him, but no greater demon or fallen to could send a lesser demon to earth with Lucifer knowing of it. If Lucifer wanted him to command his legions of the damned, why would he let one of his own try to kill him? Finally he reached the mountains and the source of the power he felt. He was not sure what to expect, this could be Virgil, the one to direct him, or it could be any other number of beast to try to stop him. Regardless he was not worried, he measured the power he felt, and it hardly compared to what he experience when he face the demon only days ago. Low in the purple mountains found the stone cavern that the power was coming from, and as he stepped foot inside was immediatley greeted "Be gone Denizen of the Inferno! I have nothing for you here but your own death! Now be gone!" Salem did not stop but continued forward unshaken by the words he heard. He beheld the creature and reconized it as neither celestrial nor demonic. "Are you the one

they call Virgil" he asked, and the creature responded "I am he! Now be gone! or face my wrath!" But Salem could tell that whatever manner of creature this was no threat to him. He beheld the creature. It was unlike any creature he had seen before, its large mishapen body look like it was once an angel, but now mishapen, cursed with ageing, ancient and decaying, hardly able to move. But he did feel that the creature though not physically imposing, did have considerable power in his own league. Salem spoke " I am the one called Salem, I was sent by the emmisarry of the Holy father, the Archangel Gabriael, by his will are you directed to aid me with knowledge the coming battle" Virgil stirred, confusion obvious in his mishapen face "I can feel what you say is true... but you bare a mark of the Fallen Firstborn himself! What is the meaning of this!" Salem answered "Yes, i was also sent by Lucifer to command his legions in ending all life in this pathetic world. I have not yet decided who i will serve. But you will still give me what i desire or i will be the one who slays you where you lay. Now tell me creature what are you?" There was silence for a moment the Virgil spoke "An angel i once was, but when Lucifer waged his rebellion i was among those who did not take sides. After the war, i was cast down for my indecisivness just above the inferno where i followed the endless banner for eons... finally i saw a chance to escape my punishment and i ran. But i was captured by the Virtues, and cursed to age, but never die as my new punishment. But I was still given a mission. I was given the Fruit of Eve, and gained knowledge of all things, and was charged to aid you when the time came." -"then tell me what it is i must know!" Salem interjected. "Yes" Virgil continued " I know what comes and why you are here. You seek a way to banish the immortality of the Son of the Fallen One. Far away at the temple of the Son there is a woman praying as we speak. She has lived a life pure and devoted to the Almighty, and has been blessed with the Sanctifying Grace of the Trinity in her spirit even before her death. She is the key. Lucian devours every soul that passes through the gates of hell and grows stronger from their impurities. But when she dies her soul will not rise, but be devoured by the beast, and her purity will not make him stronger but take his immortality and make him vulnorable to death. She has given herself willingly to be sacrificed so that the fate of all has a chance at salvation, not unlike the Savior Son did so many eons ago. You must go and deliver her from this life so that her purpose can be fufilled" Salem now for the first time felt sure of his plan of action, what was one mortal life to him? nothing but the smallest price to pay for his own salvation. If all he had to do was kill her, to reach his salvation he would do it without a second thought. Salem quickly set out to find the temple of the Son, but was quickly called back by Virgil "Wait!! Were you not touched by the Fallen Firstborn? That power i feel in you it must be so!" Salem plainly answered "Yes" then Virgil cried out "You must never use that power! It was given to you to take away the Almighty's greatest gift of free will to choose between good and evil! The more of that power you use the more of your mind he will claim until you are no more than his puppet on earth! Be warned!" the creature cried. Salem hardly paid mind to him though, as he walked out of the cavern to begin his trek to to temple of the Son where he would quickly end this mission.

Chapter V Reunion "oh I can see now

that all of these clouds are following me in my desperate endevor to find my whoever wherever she may be" -Remembering Sunday Salem headed Virgils warning and started his march to the Temple of the Son. After days of travel through the mountains he reached his goal, high up in the mountains he reached the Temple of the Son. As he walked up the long steps to the temple he could feel the presence of one touched by the Almighty inside. He decided he would make this quick, after all she was a servent the the Holy Father, she deserved an honorable and swift death, free of suffering. As he neared the door of the temple he felt an uncomforting feeling within himself, being marked by the Lucifer, He felt unwelcome in holy places, even though he could of course freely walked hollowed ground, he was no manner of unholy creature,but he was still marked, and would not bare to be there for long. He opened the door to the temple and there kneeling at the alter he saw her, with her back turned to him. He drew his sword and began to walk down the aisle. His heart began to beat heavy and faster, and he felt sweat form in his palms. Memories of his past life flooded his mind, he remember that he killed many in the name of the Father, but never someone innocent, never someone holy, never someone who would not defend themselves, and never someone with their back turned. He continued down the long aisle, and with every step he took, he felt more wrong.-This cant be right. He thought to himself. And he wondered to himself how could this be the will of the Father? Why does he kill his own children? And why must i be the left hand to execute such acts in his name. He continued to move forward, a thousand thoughts running through his mind, all told him that this was not right, but if it was the will of the Father then what choice did he have? Finally he stood behind her. Still she knelt there silently praying. He wondered if she even knew he was there or if she really knew what her prayers were about to bring her. He took his sword with both hands and raised it above his head. He would not miss his mark, or hold back to make her pain any more than it had to be. In a moment it would all be over. He would strike her down, the End War would begin, and the final clash between Heaven and Hell would unfold. His muscles tightened, and he closed his eyes for he did not want to witness what he was about to do. He tilted the blade back, and for a moment wondered if heaven was so right a place to be, to serve a lord that slaughters and forsakes his own children, but only for a moment, he prepared to come down on her and end her life when he heard the smallest voice "Do it Salem"

He was shocked. He stepped back and dropped his blade to the floor. Somewhere in his shattered memories he knew that voice. She turned her gaze and for a moment he was another person, in another time. His heart raced, and he found himself short of breath, he fell to his knees beside her. For that moment he knew her. Her soft wavey brown hair, her light golden amber eyes, and the tender full lips he kissed centuries ago. Her tall slender body, her smooth olive skin, and her slightly high cheeks the were always just the smallest part flushed all came back to his mind. A thousand lost memories raced through his head as her name whispered off his lips "Alyak" She was the one, so many of the gaps in his memory filled now, she was the woman he loved so passionately so many centuries ago. The one he was set to marry and accend his father and mother's thrown with, the one promised to him by the Almighty himself, the very reason he took up the crusades to serve the Holy Trinity. The very one who's death set into motion his own dimise. Now silent tears ran down his face, "Forgive me my love..." he spoke. "I was not there to protect you" She laid her smooth hands upon him, and they felt cool on his rough skin " I am not her Salem" she spoke "but many centuries ago i was, but blame not yourself for what happend that day, you had to fufill your oath to the Lord our Father. I loved you Salem, and that love is a gift from our Holy Father that has lasted through centuries, and can never be taken away. Even by our own deaths" Salem looked into the unknown womans eyes, and he knew that she was his lost lover, born again to new flesh. For a moment he felt none of the pressures of heaven and hell bearind down on him, all the resentment and hatred he harbored was gone, and no demented voices of the fallen echoed in his head. For one moment it was just her there in his arms, looking into his eyes the same way she did centuries ago. It was short lived though, she spoke again " I also know why you have come... I have known and accepted my fate. I will give my body and my soul for our Holy Father...and so that you may finally find the peace you deserve.." Salem stood up, "No!" he shouted "I wont have it!" he gave her his hand and raised her up, then looked into her eyes once more. Then asked "Woman.. What is your name? " She spoke in perfect voice that sound like an angels voice to him "Once i was yours, Alyak. but today you may call me Alanael" "Alanael" Salem spoke, " I cannot do what the Holy Father has asked of me. I could never harm you, even if it meant escape from my eternal punishment. I would rather burn forever than know that i harmed you, whom i once loved so passionately" Then Salem fell to his knees and took her hand again "Please, I beg of you. Let us find another way, let neither of us fall so that we live out our lives the way we should have so many years ago. Let me be your knight, and protect you from all those who would bring harm to you until this ordeal is done. My life, my soul i do swear for you. Please Alanael...Alyak. Let us do this." A tear formed in her amber golden eyes, as she said "I will go with you my love, but may his will on high always be done." Salem moved closer to her and looked into her eyes and then slowly touched his lips to hers.

Chapter Vl Truth "a good friend once told me

we are memories without them we equal nothing all i can see is the place i want to be a time when our life was so free" -Remenissions They set off to see Virgil again. Perhaps if there was another way to take Lucians Immortality the elder would know of it. As they walked through the mountains Salem could not help but think to himself, The Holy Father was all powerful, so why did all this have to be? why could he not just take Lucian's immortality himself. Why didn he not just kill Lucifer in the first place when he rebelled. Why was it that he that had to carry all this weight for a deity that had failed him. As if Alanael could read his troubled mind, she spoke softly "Our Holy Father loved Lucifer, and all his angel too much to end their lives, he made it where all celestrial beings both Fallen and Holy could never die" "But Lucifer rebelled against him". Salem interjected "Why did he not take that ever lasting life from him and save humanity this ever lasting struggle?" Alanael sighed and it looked as if a tear formed in her eye as she spoke "Lucifer was once his favorite angel, The Light Barer. And it was said that Lucifers love for his father was stronger than any other angel in heaven. But when The Holy father made man the object of his love, and told all the angels to love man more than themselves and more than himself, Lucifer protested, saying that man was a flawed creature, so undeserving of their love and affection, and that he could never love man more than he did his father. And this first act of disobedience led to more conflict in heaven, Lucifer stirred question into some of the other angels, who also saw man as a flawed creature, and started a rebellion, claiming that he should rule over the heavens and earth so he could make a perfect creature to love. Thus the war began, but even so the father so loved his rebellious son that he could not take his life but rather punish him for his crimes and all those who followed him. Then he gave man his greatest gift of all, the gift of free will, the ability to choose which side they take, to be good and just as our Father intended or to side with Lucifer and stand against him." "Thats puts a new perspective to things" Salem muttered to himself, then spoke aloud "such a loving lord that lets his children suffer for eternity rather than simply end thier suffering" and resentment shown in his eyes. Alanael only softly said "there was a time when you never would have said that..." This surprised Salem. He saw now a chance to perhaps fill in some of the gaps to his broken memories. "please tell me" he asked, eagar to learn of his past life. "who was i?" Alanael spoke from a sorrowful memory "You were a prince" and tears began to form in her eyes "You were truly great man...admired by everyone, and beloved by the

people. And loved by me." Salem took her hands and looked into her eyes "And i loved you to aslo" he spoke "I remember it. I feel it." Now tears ran down her smooth face. "You did" she continued. "but i was ill... they said i was going to die.. but you did not care. You took me to be your fiancee' anyway, you said you would rather spend a short time with me than a lifetime with anyone else. Then the Angel came, he told us that if you made an oath to serve our Holy Father as his hand in this world, to deliver it from the Lucifer and all the Fallen, he would heal me, and we would spend our lives together as it was meant to be. You gladly accepted, as an honor to serve him, and to save me. You served him for years with unquestioning loyalty and faith. You went on many quest and crusades for him. Finally the angel came to you with one final crusade, then promised to deliver me from the illness. You set off on your final quest with a small army..2years went by and you never returned, nor had anyone had letter of you. Many thought you were dead, or had given up your long crusade... i never lost hope though.. every night i sat up, i waited for you. until one night...your brother came to my chamber drunk from the nights supper.. he forced himself upon me... when he awoke the next day, he said i shamed his family and turned the castle against me, he said said it was i who took advantage of him. He had me put to death by his own hand." only months later you returned and learned what happend, but you never believed them, you never questioned my faithfullness to you, somehow you knew what your brother did. Driven mad by rage you killed him for what he had done.. shortly after you fell into a great depression and having lost me, and your brother.. and truly you loved us both so dearly you questioned your faith in the Lord for the first time. You felt betrayed by him, denied the ending you were promised. You became someone else, someone distant, someone who wanted nothing to do with the world. Finally one night it all became to much for you, you set fire to the palace, and the surrounding city. And amist the flames you cursed the Holy Father and through yourself into the great fires" Salem stood silent... it all came back to him. Why he felt the way he did. Much of the anger he felt left him, replaced by the pain of his memories. Still though he said "but if we can find a way to save you now, and somehow stop this coming war, perhaps we can finally live the life together we were meant to have." This was all he wanted now, the means of which did not matter to him. So they continued on there trek to reach Virgil again.

Chapter Vll Fall of the Champion

"Trust in my self rightious sucide for i cry when angels deserve to die." -Chop Suey

Days passed as they walked, until they reached the Great Maw, said to be the scarred battlefield where the gate to the inferno was first torn open as Lucifer and all his unholy angels fell from heaven. As they crossed it, an uneasy feeling came upon Salem. They were in a low valley, surrounded by dark mountains on all sides, the rocky ground they walked had an eirre scent to it. Salem could feel the bounderies between the earth and the inferno were thin here, and that even though the battle that took place between heaven and hell here had happend eons ago, there was still much energy here. They continued through it, until a ray of light came down from the sky, and Gabriael came down. Salem could immediately sense something was wrong, because for the first time Gabriael wore a look of solid fear across his face. "Gabriael!" Salem called to him. " What is wrong?" A tremble shook through Gabriaels body as he spoke. "Remember Salem. Everything is his will. And all has a part in his grand plan. Never lose your faith in him, for he is counting on you Salem." Salem pulled Alanael close to him, in an instinctual protection of her. "What is it Gabriael!" Salem shouted. "Tell me whats going on!" then Gabrieal turned to Salem. "He is coming...it pains me, i do not wish to see him fall, but still.... may his will on high be done." Salem took hold of Gabriael now " Who is coming!! Samael? Lucian? Lucifer himself? Speak!" Gabriael winced. "One they all fear. My brother. Michael" Salem looked astonished. "Is not that a good thing? Michael is the greatest of all the warrior angels. Was it not he who first cast down Lucifer after the rebellion? With him as our ally who could really stand against us?" As soon as he spoke this, there was another flash of light and the Archangel himself came down. Six great wings spread from his back, his skin was the same pale luminouss color as Gabriael's as were his eyes the same glowing blue. His long brown hair hung just over his sholders, and the Fiery Sword that only the champion of heaven could wield burned in his hand. Gabriael stood before him, and Salem could see now that Gabriael was almost dwarft by him. Michael was much larger in stature, his musclular build and more robust features made Gabriael almost look like a child. "Brother!" Gabriael pleaded. "Do not do this! It is not the will of the Almighty, and i do not wish to see the you fall!" "But it is his will brother!" Michael proclaimed, and with that an army of Powers, the lesser choire of warrior angels appeared behind him. "Now stand aside brother" and a certain fiercness came to his eyes. "Brother!" Gabriael pleaded again "Your intentions are pure, and i could never question your love for our Father, but your ends do not justify your means! I beg you brother, reconsider." and a shining staff appeared in Gabriaels hands. "You dare raise your hand against me!" Michael roared " I am the Champion of the Father! I am the most powerful of all the warrior angel! It was i who defeated Lucifer for our Father and cast him and all his wretched angel from Paradise! And it should be I who should defeat his foul son Lucian and stop the End War! Not some fallen mortal who has failed us before! then upon giving him a chance at redemption he spits it back at us for some mortal woman! Why is he any different than any other damned mortal soul!" "Because the Father willed it!" Gabriael interrupted. But Michael continued "All that stand between us and the fall of Lucian is that mortal woman! and he refuses to give her up! Now i ask you again, stand aside brother!" but Gabriael did not speak, and silently held his ground, staff in hand. "So be it then" Michael spoke "His will be done!" he shouted and he raised the fiery sword and struck Gabriael with a fierce blow across the chest. A flash of light blinded Salem for a moment, and when he opened his eyes Gabriael was no where to be seen.

"Gabriael!!" Salem shouted. but no one answered. How could this have happend Salem thought to himself His guardian the Archangel Gabriael was gone. struck down by his own brother. All in the name of the Father... but his thoughts were interupted when Michael's thunderous voice roared again "Thy will be done!" and he charged forward in a flash of light, and thrust the flamming blade though Alanael's chest. Salem fell to her side and tears fell from his face as he cried "No!! It can't be so!" He swore to protected her, he swore to save her, yet here she was dying in his arms. His life with her was cut short and ripped from him again. "Salem.." her voice cracked "my love, my heart has always been yours, and no happier death could i have than to close my eyes so close to you. May his will be done" and with her final words she closed her eyes. "Worthless mortal. To die for the Holy Father was the best purpose you could ever had hoped for" Michael spat, with vemon in every word. Pain and rage consumed Salem now. How could he say that about her. He had taken her away from him, he took her life, all for the Holy Father and their damned war. He felt the fire take hold inside him again. Growing and consuming everything inside him. Then he heard the twisted voice of the fallen firstborn himself speak inside his mind "And he who makes a beast out of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man" Suddenly all he could think of was Michael. He didn't care about Lucifer, Lucian, the Father, this war, none of it mattered. Only Michael. He would pay for what he had done. Then the voice inside his head screamed " CRUSH THEM! BREAK THEM! TEAR THEM!" He felt the fire burning in his chest spread down to his stomatch, if felt like everything inside him was on fire. He fell to the ground in the agony of the fire and the demented voices within his burning head screamed " RIP THEM! SMASH THEM!! BURN THEM!!!" The burning fire spread through his entire body consuming everything and he cried out in pain and the twisted howling voice screamed on in his head " KILL THEM ALL!! LEAVE NOTHING BUT BODIES!! AND SCRORCH THE REMAINS!!!" he raised his burning fist to the sky then cried out " Father!!! Why have you forsaken me!!! in your eyes forsaken me!!! in your arms forsaken me! and in your heart forsaken me!!!" He felt the power of the fallen come over him, and he struck the ground with earth cracking force, then cried out "Burned them! all of them! Burn! Feel my fury! feel my pain! and burn them!!!!" The earth quaked and cracked open and a sea of unholy fire engulfed the heavenly army, fire rained down from the sky burning everything, scarring the very eath itself and Salem may have taken plesure in their dying cries but he was completely fixed on Michael. From amongst the flames Michael emerged unharmed "Challenge accepted" and he raised the burning sword toward Salem. But Salem through down his sword and sprung at Michael with unworldly speed and strength. He took the Archangel off guard and slammed his back against the cracking ground. Filled with unholy vengence and rage he clutched Michaels throat, he want to feel the Archangel be crushed under him, he wanted to feel the life being choked out of him, he wanted to feel his bones crack under his fury. He continued his berserk rampage against the Archangel, pounding him and smashing him wherever he could without thought or remorse. But what good was it really, Michael was a celestrial being, though his physical body could be crushed, he could never actually die. This never crossed Salems

demented mind though, as his raging assault continued until finally he finally he took hold of Michael and slamed him against the stone wall of a great moutain. This still was not enough though he grabbed him again and repeatedly slammed the Archangel into the stone wall of the mountain then finally with all his might he hurled Michaael against it. All his rage and furry took form as the reared back and unleashe d a fiece blast of demonic energy that consumed Michael and the mountain, and collapsed the mountain on the bruised and battered Archangel. Salem took hold of the Ragnarok and braced himself, as he took a moment to regain his breath from his demented rampage. But it was short lived as with a wave of light Michael arose and took hold of the Fiery Sword and lunged himself at Salem, and when the blades clashed it unleashed a huge shockwave that sent Salem flying back. But to his surprised Michael did not follow through with his attack. Instead the Archangel stood and panted as if for the first time feeling fatigue, but still he proclaimed "I..am the Warrior Angel! I cannot be defeated by any fallen mortal!" Salem wasted no time, and countered back at him. Their blades clashed and sparks flew again and again, their strikes were in perfect sync, and it seemed neither could gain an upper hand. Finally they met in a deadlock. Salem pushed with all his might, but his mortal body had already been pushed far beyond it limits, then Michael roared "Fallen mortal! you will never over power me! and pushed with even greater strength. Just before Salem was about to collaps under the Archangel devine strength the weight lifted and Michael look confused "What is this? why does my strength abandon me?" Salem reached again for the fire and strength within himself and pushed with all his might until the flamming sword was flung from Michael's hand and the blade of Ragnarok slahed deep through the Archangel's chest. Was it over? Salem thought to himself. Michael looked down astonished "Is this what is called pain?" His voice shaken "I commend you for your skill and resolve, perhaps you would have made a powerful ally under different cirrcumstances. But still I will purge this world of all that is unpure. Now fallen warrior, you will submit to me! No blade, mortal of demonic will strike me down!" He grabbed the Ragnarok by the blade and tore it from Salems hands, still possessing over powering strength, and cast the bade aside. He clenched his fist with white knuckles and came down upon Salem, the two faught a brutal fight, rolling on the scortched ground. The brawl seemed endless, each of them landing vicious blows on the other. Perhaps he cannot be slain. Salem thought amist the bloody brawl, but he is weakinging. This was something Salem was sure Micheal never experienced before, and was not sure how to handle it. Finally Michael mounted Salem, and pounded his bloodied fist against him. Pushed far past the point of exaustion, and far beyond the limits of any mortal body, he thought to himself This could be the end. As the Archangel smashed his bloodied fist against Salem's broken and bruised face and body, Salem was sure the savage look of fury and rage in the Archangel's eyes could not be from the Holy Father. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw the hilt of the Fiery Sword. No mortal or demonic blade could defeat him. Salem thought. But the Fiery Sword was the holy blade of Heaven. It was his only hope. As if Micheal read his mind, both their eyes fixed on it, and they both lunged for, somehow Salem got to it first and immediately turned and dug the burning blade into Michael's chest. The Archangel fell to the ground quivering. Unable to die, but devoid of all power

and strength. Salem thrust the Flamming sword into the earth and cut open the rift to the inferno. "Now you will be cast down, as you have so passionately cast down all those before you" Salem spoke to the crippled Michael. He pressed his foot along Michael's spine and took hold of his wings, then with a gruesome roar ripped then out of his back, leaving six gapping wounds in his back to become scars. Michael screamed in gruesome pain and agony he felt for the first time. Salem reached down and pick Michael up by the throat and held him over the burning rift then spoke with vemon in his words " I damn you Michael to the nineth and deepest circle of Hell, where you will be chained and bound in the frozen lake of Judecca with Lucifer himself for all eternity as a traitor to the Lord himself!" Salem raised Michael as high as he could then cast him down into the black and burning abyss with all his might. The rift closed behind him, and Salem finally collapsed from exaustion. He was not sure what would happen now, but he no longer found the will to fight. Without Alanael he felt no desire to serve the Holy Father, nor lead the legions of the damned, that he was sure now both stood against him. He looked over at the Fiery sword again, and saw it exstinguish and dissappear, perhaps the last remenant of the Fallen Warrior Angel.

Chapter Vlll To Tip the Balance

"as i lay here and bleed I realize it's to late as the skys start to fall I realize I'm standing alone" -Ashes Salem just laid there on the scarred ground, unable to find any will or reason to get up. The Legions by now had surely learned of his plan to kill Lucian and would likely pursue him soon. The Archangel Michael, champion of Heaven, had fallen by his own hand, and without their leader and greatest warrior the armies of Heaven stood little chance against the legions. His Guardian and guide Gabriael had been killed by his own brother. But yet all of this seemed distant to him. What really hurt him was that Alanael was gone. He swore an oath to her, in his mortal life, and again in this new barron world, Both times, he failed her, he could not protect her, and she so selflessly gave herself for this world to have a chance at salvation. Without her, he had no purpose in this war anymore. What was salvation, without the her to him? Empty. Soon he felt the familiar presense of demonic energy personify and Samael arose from the darkness, "Bravo Salem Bravo. Casting down the champion of paradise, the great warrior Michael, Our lord was wise to show such faith in you. Salem showed little intrest as he continued to lay on the ground absently "It would seem so" He said absently. Samael smiled a sinister smile, "with Michael gone you have chopped the head off the beast that is -his- armies far sooner than we expected. As we speak my

legions of Fallen are preparing to storm the gates of Peter, and take back what is ours!" Salem still never stood but and only absently spoke "Good... Go fight your war, my part and reason in it is over, and i want nothing more to do with it." "oh but Salem" Samael stepped closer to him "Your work has only jus begun" Salem answered again "I told you, I want nothing more to do with your war" this time a touch or harshness hissed in his voice. A sinister smile took to Samael's face, and a long slender sword appeared in his hand. He struck the ground with it and open a window the te inferno where Salem saw Alanaels tortured soul being burned in the inferno. "Not even for her soul Salem?" Samael smiled and pain flashed across Salems face " Release her!" Salem cried. "I wont have her suffer for me!" Samael stepped closer to Salem and a tension arose through Salem. He knew very well what Samael was and how awfully powerful he was. He also knew that all the false formalities Samael presented to him was only because his master willed it, but his own savage wicked nature showed through. "Oh now we can't do that Salem, your a hard person to entice, we won't just give back the only thing we have to deal with you" Salem grunted, and put his hand on his sword. "Don't be so hasty" Samael hissed. "Lucifer has shown mercy on you.. dispite my best efforts" he added with vemon in each word "Should you continue to serve us well, you will be given your little whore, and be made the rule over a region of the inferno with her as your bride for all eternity. But should you stray from us again" he cracked a wicked smile "I will personally burn the flesh from your bones, and ever manner of creature in Hell will have your little whore". Anguish flashed across Salems face, and Samael steped closer to him again, and the tension Salem felt only grew. "Think about it Salem" Samael continued " HIS champion, the great warrior Michael has already fallen. Their armies are without a leader! they are weaker than they have ever been! While we are stronger than we have ever been! Continue to serve us and everything you desire will be yours!" The voice inside Salems head whispered, its words ever the more powerful "Serve me Salem. I will give you power Salem. I will give you your woman Salem. Serve me Salem" the voice continued, and Salem felt the pull of its words, but one thought echoed in his mind, he could not push the thought of Alanael in hell for eternity, he would not allow it! He swore to protect her, and she was in hell because of his inability to defend her. "No" he finally spoke "I dont care about your war, but i will not have her soul suffer for all eternity because of me. I will drag her back from hell myself! and i will slay any creature that stands in my way!" He proclaimed "take that back to your master, dog." Samael raised the long wicked curved blade, "the only thing i will take back to my master, is your servered rotting head!!" Then Samael leaped into a spinning lunge at Salem, and shockwaves cracked the ground when their bladed clashed. Salem valiantly fought back, but he felt his strength leaving him, his mortal body had already been pushed far past its limits in his battle with Michael. Still though he pushed as hard as he could to fight the Fallen Angel, Samael was stronger than him and far more powerful, but Salem would stop at nothing to save Alanael's pure soul. It took everything Salem had just to keep up with Samaels strikes, but he was begining to weaken, there was no way he could keep up with Samael forever, he began

to feel the ache in his bones, and the sting in his hands everytime their blades clashed, began to feel the soreness in his muscles form his battle with Michael, he felt the sweat begin to roll down into his burning eyes. He had to find away to end this quickly, or Samael would end him here and now. Finally in what seemed like a lucky blow, he thrusted his blade through Samael's torso, for a moment Salem thought the battle might be over, but his moment was short lived. Samael took hold of the blade pertruding through his torso and pulled it out with his bare hands, hardly showing any sign of pain or even discomfort. It was then Salem realized exactly how powerful Samael was, what was a mere mortal flesh wound from a blade, to a being that suffered countless eons if punishment and damnation in the inferno. He would not feel pain as mortals do. He would not tire or weaken as mortals do. And Salem had a strong feeling that much like Michael, and all celestrieal beings, Samael probably could not actually die. A morbid feelimg began to take hold of Salem. After Samael pulled the blade from his body he screamed a terrifying demonic roar that echoed of the beast he truly was. He then grabbed Salem with his bare hands, that burned to the touch, and slammed him against the ground then took the Ragnarok and stabbed it through Salem's sholder. The warrior yelled in pain, but his cries were cut short as he felt Samael's foul burning hands clamp down around his throat, and begin to choke the life out of him. "Foolish mortal!" the Fallen Angel roared "you will suffer damnation a hundred fold for what you have done!" Salem began to feel lightheaded, he expected the burning power he felt before to take hold of him and give him strength as it did before, but he felt nothing but his own life being choked from him. Finally he closed his eyes, unable to hang on any longer. Samael then picked him up and threw his limp body with terrifying force against the near by mountain side. "Is that all you can do mortal!!" Samael roared. "Pathetic creature! you were never worthy of my master's favor and i will end your meaningless life now!" Still though Salem rose to his feet, bloodied and bruised, he would still not give up his fight for Alanael's soul. Salem staggered and rose to his feet, and as he rose up, he saw for the first time in this gray world a single ray of light from the sky, the sun shined down upon him. As he picked up his sword again he felt a new power come over him. Not like the burning rage he felt before, this was different, it was smooth, and cooling, his body ached all over but he had the will to carry on his battle. "Your death will be a slow miserable one Salem, i promise you that!" Samael grunted has he took up his twisted blade again. "There is no hope of defeating me!" And he lunged himself at Salem again, but this time Salem moved with a greater dexterity, his movements were more fluid, almost graceful, the strength he felt come upon him now was almost serene. The pain and fatigue he felt from the previous battles seemed to fade, and he moved as a much better match to Samaels power now. For hours they fought a feirce exausting battle, and they were all but equals to each other, finally Samael halted his assault for a moment "You fight well Salem, clearly HE still favors you after all, but it does not matter. HE is not here right now to save you, and all your efforts are in vain. I cannot die, and unlike Micheal im already fallen. There is no hope for you mortal!". He spread his huge dark wings, and fire burned in his black eyes, as he let out a fearsome roar the very earth itself seemed to quake with fear. But something in Salem had changed, the fear he felt towards Samael had left him, he felt

the obligation of an oath he took centuries ago, push him forward and give him strength, his warrior instincts honed in, as he took his stance, he was ready for anything " I know what you are Samael" he proclaimed "and i will make a testament of you to all who stand in my way! No blade will harm me! No demon will shadow me! i will stand before every legion in hell! I will never fail! I will never tire! I will never accept defeat! I will not rest until her soul is free from the foul hands of your master!" a ray of light shown down from the black clouded sky, unto Salem face, and he knew what he must do. He raised his sword and lunged forward at Samael, and thrusted his blade through the fallen angels chest, pinning him to the ground then he shouted "In the name of Holy Father, the Savior Son, and the Sanctifying Spirit I address you by name Samael!" Paralysis struck Samael and he could not move, but still howeled in bitter agony " HE is not here Salem! HE will not help you! You have no power over me mortal!" but Salem continued unphased by the words of the fallen angel "In the name of the Holy Trinity I command you Samael! You have no place in this world and I command you to be gone!" Samael began to twitch and spasm wildly "You have no power over me Salem! You cannot defeat me! Your Lord is not here!!" but Salem still continued "I command you to be gone from this world! Go! and be cast into eternal darkness! Go! and be drowned in the watery abyss! Go! and be burned in the inferal fires! Go! and be torn assunder in the thundering whirlwinds! By the power of the Holy Father i banish you from this world back to the hell from whence you came! And there you shall remain until the end of days and your final judgement comes! Now be gone!" Samael screamed unearthly curses and cries as his body bursted in black flames that consumed him until finally he disapperared. Salem watched as the Fallen Angel was banished back to the inferno, and the thoughts of what Lucifer's rebellion must have been like wondered through his mind. Lucifer, Samael, all the fallen, they were all once so beautiful, how hard it must have been to cast them down from Heaven, and watch them become the horrible creatures, that cursed the Holy father that they once loved so affectionatly. Now that afffection had turned to resentment and even hate. He knew all to well what they felt, and knew that their desire for revenge would never cease, they would never give up, or repent their sins. He knew now why he was chosen for this mission, so that he could be saved from their fate, and become the emmissary from the Holy Father that would protect the world from their sickness.

Chapter lX Desperation
"This drought leads on now we're dancing for rain we drink the air but its still not the same" -Dancing for Rain

With Samael banished back to the inferno, Salem felt a new strength within himself, and with it his will to fight had been restored, he would fight through this war, and save Alanael's soul at any cost, as penence for failing his oath to Alyak so many centuries ago. He knew that all of hell would stand against him, and after casting down Michael he could probably expect very little help from on high, but he felt it in his soul, everything he was told him this is what he must do, and nothing would challenge his resolve. Soon after his proclamation though, the sky darkend with black clouds again. Lightning struck the ground rapidly and the earth began to quake and tremble as the winds sored up. A huge black fire began to sprawl across the ground killing the earth under it, and out of the fire a dark figure arose. Salem could feel its power, it was ancient, tremendous, and starving for carnage. As the dark creature took form it spoke "Through the wastelands i slide, and though my skin is shed tonight, my fangs i cannot hide, but know my hunger takes your life, no one will hear your cries, as all this world will wither and die" then the burning black creature raised its head "I am Lucian" His skin looked like charred black wood, his eyes were a burning red that glowed agaist the blackend steel mask that was his face. His figure was tall, taller than most mortals atleast, and slender, and just the way he held himself seemed to be twisted, or distorted, as black flames emminated from his body. Then he turned his masked face to Salem "And you who would dare to stand against me, will be the first to witness my power" The unreal, terrifying power Salem felt come from him, raised the hair on his neck. Still the warrior would not abandon his cause, as he raised his sword he spoke "Twisted son of the Fallen Firstborn, your power is great, but know that i shall not falter! You are vulnorable to death, as are we all, and i will strike you down and save the innocent soul that gave her life for this purpose!" He charged forward, sword in hand, ready to strike down Lucian where he stood, but before he closed half the distance between them, He was blasted back and blown to the ground. "Foolish mortal". Lucian spoke "though i am subject to death now, i am no less powerful, and no fallen mortal's pathetic power will ever compare to mine". Still though Salem found the strength to pick himself up from the ground. "So long as her soul is captive, i will never fall" he proclaimed. He raised his sword again and focused his power, the ground under him began to tremble, as he felt the air around him begin to heat up, and the ragnarok glowed red and coursed with power. He locked his eyes on Lucian, then leaped into the air and came down with with unearthly force upon Lucians burning face. The twisted creature never flinched though, he stood there as if he felt nothing, and effortlessly held Salem in the air. Then his dark hand reached out and grabbed Salem, his grip was like iron, but painfully cold to the touch, it burned his skin like dry ice might have. "Pathetic mortal" Lucian hissed "is this the best -HE- could offer to challenge me? You could never hope to stand against me". Then Salem felt the burning he felt where Lucian was holding him intensify and spread rapidly through his body. He felt as if he had been lit on fire, and the burning fire consumed his body, as he felt himself begin to twitch and spasm wildly in Lucians cold grasp. Then an even greater pain spread through his body, as he felt every bit of strength being pulled from his body, it felt as if his very life was being sucked from him. He screamed in pain until finally Lucian released him by throwing violently to the ground.

Laying there in the dirt, pain shot through ever inch of him, but his body felt limp. Every muscle he had failed him, and he felt as if every bone in his body had been shattered under the unholy strength of Lucian. He struggled just to breath air into his lungs. Lying face down in the dirt he utter "I will not fail her" and with shear will power he pushed himself to rise again, he went to raise his sword again, but it felt so heavy now, but he summoned every bit of his strength and raised it once more. In a flash Lucian was right in front of him and picked him up by his sword hand, raising him to look at the unholy creature face to face "Worthless creature" Lucian hissed "Your very existence sickens me" then he struck, not at Salem but at the Ragnarok and shattered the sword to pieces in a single blow, then he took hold of Salem again and and unleashed a huge blast of demonic energy upon him. As Salem hit the ground once more he heard Lucian speak "Damned mortal, feel privilaged as you will soon wittness my true power! This world, and Paradise too will burn in my crimson flame!" The eath began to shake once more and the ground ripped open. Fire rushed out of the infernal chasm, spreading across the ground, engulfing everything as thousands of demons and infernal soldiers spewed from the rift to wage their war on the Holy Father. Salem, though horrified, could no longer find the strength to raise himself or fight, but he watched in terror as Lucian stepped into the infernal fires and began to tear pieces of his own body off and burn them into the fires. His self mutilation continued, then unspeakable horror dawned on Salem as he realized what was happening. Lucian began to grow and tower over the battle field as he shedded his physical body, he became another unholy creature. A huge, mishapen beast, with burning black skin and seven gruesome heads, with ten horns raised from them. Its burning red eyes, echoed to crimson fires of the inferno, its black claws were long as talons, and seven black wings spread from its back. Lying there, face down in the dirt, bloodied and bruised, crippled in pain, all hope was lost. A thousand thoughts ran through his mind, there was no way to defeat this foe, and he wondered if he closed his eye, if he might wake up to his old world with Alyak at his side, and mearly sweat at this horrible nightmare. He knew it was not so though, the pain he felt all through his body was far to real. What hurt more than any amount of physical pain though, was that he failed her again. He swore his life and his soul for to protect her, but still she burned in the inferno, with the sins of an ungrateful world on her sholders, and he was powerless to save her. Tears fell from his eyes as he summoned all of his strength just to pull his hands together and speak "Holy Father. Forgive me, i have failed you again. But i weep not for my own life, but for her soul. If there is anyway, anyway at all to save her form the unholy fate cast upon her, I beg you, to please save her and protect her, as i could not. Let me burn in her place, she as always followed you and is deserving of your love and grace, while i am far more worthy to burn. I offer my body and my soul for her's. May your will be done. Amen"

Chapter X Filiolus Sanctus Proeliator

"Here comes the water it comes to wash away the sins of you and I like holy water it only burns you faster than you'll ever dry" -Slither As Salem finished his dying prayer, he closed his eyes, and thought to himself, maybe it was all to much to begin with, or maybe he just didn't try hard enough. But the only thing he cared about, as the infernal fires devoured everything and the demon soldiers ran wild, was that the soul of Alanael be saved from hell at any cost. As his thoughts began to slip away, just as everything started to fade to black, he felt the smallest drop of water touch his skin. He rolled over onto his back and struggled to open his eyes. The sky had clouded, and cool rain began to fall down to the earth. Oh how long it had been since he felt the cool touch of water on his skin. Was this the Holy Fathers silent answer of comfort to his prayer? that her soul would be saved? Or could it be the tear of all the angels, weeping because all hope was lost. In the distance he heard something. Something out of place, a whistling in the distance, growing closer. As his eyes began to focus, he saw the the sword of Micheal, come down from the heavens and strike the ground next to him. The sword was the weapon that only the Champion of Heaven could wield, and was sworn to vanquish everything that was unpure under its holy flame. Was this the Holy Father answer to him? Did he wish the him to continue his battle? If it meant the soul of Alanael he would do anything, but how was he supposed to continue this fight against this impossible enemy when he was but moments from death? He could not even rise to raise the sword given to him. In a flash of light, Gabrieal appeared before him "Gabriael.." Salem uttered "I thought you were dead. Blessed be, but you come for the wrong soul my friend. Please, i beg you, save her not me". Gabriael kneeled down and laid his hands upon Salem's bloodied corps the shouted "Exsisto! Existo! Sanctus mile militis of Deus! Proeliator of Fides! RISE!" and with that the sky cracked open and a light shown down form the sky upon him and he felt an incredible new strength, unlike anything he had ever felt before flow through him, and a new will to stand and fight the enemies of the Heaven and save the soul of Alanael with it. He stood up and took hold of the sword and prepared to face the wrath of all of Hell alone if need be, but Gabriael stopped him. "Look brother." He spoke, and out of the open sky they saw the holy fire of the almighty come down from the sky with an army of Cherubim and Powers with it. Then the Archangel Uriel appeared before them, her features were hidden under burning white flames, but her white hair and luminous blue eyes still stood out through the fire. She faced Salem and reached out towards him, then the burning white fire that surrounded her, engulfed Salem too. He looked at his flaming limbs and body, but to his surprise, felt no pain, and saw that his wounds were healed. As the fire around him exstinguished he saw the blade of the fiary sword egnight once more with the holy fire from on high. The Final battle was about to begin. With the Fiary Sword of Heaven raised and ready, Salem stepped forward with, Gabriael and Uriel at his sides, and heavenly army

behind him. They charged forward to vanquish the infernal plague that had raped the world. Lucian towered over the battlefield , crushing and devouring everything in his path as his seven heads unleashed all of Hell's fury upon the world and every follower of the Holy Father. Salem leaped forward at the beast, and moved with an new inhuman dexterity and grace. But the beast was strong, and driven by eons of resentment and hatred. He came down upon Salem with his crushing strength, but with his new strength and will to fight Salem held the creature at bay, then finally threw him back and swung at him with the fiary sword. All seven heads of the beast shrieked an earth shaking roar in frustration then came down and unleashed a flood of fire upon everything surroundind them, but Salem took the flamming blade and cut through the fires and slashed across the unholy beast' chest spilling black ichor that burned through the ground . The beast howeld in pain and fury as each of his heads came down and snapped at Salem, knocking him onto his back, the beast jumped on top of him, pushing him into the ground, and its foul drooling jaws stoppedd just over Salem's body, held back by the fiary sword. Then Salem struck the beast again, driving the fiary sword into its side. The Unholy beast staggered back as it shrieked in pain. Rage and fury filled the prince of Hell, he howled in hatred the shouted "I will not be defeated!!" and snarled "I will destroy everything!!" He took flight with his seven huge dark wings "Everything will burn!!" he screamed "Angels and Demons alike! nothing will be left!! Nothing!!" He laid unholy fire to earth, and crimson flame engulfed everything. Salem heard the cries of both angels and demons on the battlefield as the burned in the sea of fire as far as the eye could see. Salem thought he saw the cursed beast smile, even if Lucian could not defeat him, he would destroy everything and take it all with him, nothing, no one would survive. It was a cowards way to escape, being unable to accept defeat, but still Salem was surrounded by fire and burning corpses with no way out. Then he felt hand take hold of him and lift him into the air, he looked up and saw Gabrieal above him lifting him high into the air above the battlefield, and hurled him with tremendous force, at Lucian. For the first time Salem saw a strong fierceness in the normally docile angel. Perhaps he always knew that fierceness was in Gabrieal, but Gabriael always had such a refined manner it was easy to overlook the warrior he truly was. In the air he braced himself and arced the fiary sword, then finally made contact with the beast and pierced the flamming sword through his foul beating heart and as the crashed to the burning ground he pinned him there, supine, and the beast howeled in horrible agony as he bleed out and black ichor spurted and gushed everywhere. Surrounded by crimson fire on all sides the beast hissed "Your holy father has no power over me!! As powerful as you are, you can still not strike a mortal blow against me! all your efforts ar futile!" The beast snarled and continued "perhaps i cannot defeat you, but i dont have to! you still cannot stop me from ending all life in this miserable world! Everything will still burn!!" The truth of this began to settle in Salem, it seemed they were at a stalemate. Fire cornered them on all sides and all that was good was burnning. Once again Salem began to feel weak, he began to feel the ache in his muscles, and the sweat burning in his eyes. His sword began to feel heavy and the thick smoke burned in his chest with every breath. Still though all he could think of was Alanaels soul, and how she must be

save at all cost. He would not rest or ever give up until she was free. Then Gabriael and Uriel came through the fire and took hold of the beast, blinding light shined where they made contact with him and Lucian shrieked in pain once more. "Now!" Gabriael cried. Be filled with the power of the Holy Father and all the holy Holy Trinity and strike down this down this abomination!" A radiant light began to shine from Salems body as a holy purity came upon him. He took hold of the fiary sword and raised it high, then came down upon the unholy beast with the holy force of the Father and finally cut through the beast with a mortal blow. All seven heads roared in the horrible agony of a mortal death as his body began to tremble and turn to ash until finally nothing was left.

Chapter Xl Absolution
"I'm not after fame or fourtune I'm after you when I've served my time I sweare I'll come back for you"

As the infernal rift reclaimed all the demonic soldiers, Salem stared down into it, hearing their hidious cries and shrieks. Gabriael came behind him and said "Blessed be. You have served us well brother". But Salem paid no mind to him, his mission had not yet been complete. He stared down at the infernal prison that he had escaped, and in it was the soul of his lost love that he so desperately fought to save. The flames reflected into in his eyes, and he remember his final sin from his past life, he remembered staring down at his burning city from the high cliffs, then throwing himself into the fires. He remembered the heat of the flames, and the burden of knowing he would be damned to hell for his sins. Staring down into the inferno he felt the same flames, and he knew that once there, there was no hope of escape. But down there in the inferno was the soul of the one he loved and he swore to protect. Nothing would stand between him and saving her. He looked back silently at Gabriael and the angel cried out! " Salem no! We won't be able to retrieve you past those cursed gates!" but it was already to late, Salem stepped forward and cast himself into the infernal fires. As he dove head first through the rings of tortured souls, and howling demons, their screams and shrieks pierced him, but he would not falter. There in the lake of burning sulfur, he saw his beloved. He reached out to her, and as she took his hand they were reunited and he felt for the first time in centuries, release. But it was short live, the demon king, the Fallen Firstborn himself came before them. He was hugmongous, towering above all as the deity of the Inferno. His great horns were covered in flames, his body was covered in thick black fur, and each of his six great wings was huge enough to black out the sky by itself. "You think you can betray me!!!" He roared, his

voice like thunder. "Fool!! There is no return from this prison but through me!!! You will never escape!!!" His voice thundered and hundreds of thousands of demons surrounded Salem and Alanael. "DEVOUR THEM" Lucifer roared. But Salem showed no fear, never again would he be sepparated from her side, never again would he fail to protect her, never again would he allow any harm to come to her. He would slay every demon in Hell and Lucifer himself if thats what it took. Nothing would stop him from keeping his oath to her! He charged forward, fiary sword in hand, as he hacked and slashed his way through dozens of demons one after another. He would let none of them lay one foul finger on her. He fought and faught with unequalled might against the endless storm of demons, he never tired, but continued to fight, even after one demon thrusted its foul claw through his torso he did not even slow down. He would never give way to mortal pain, as he continued to slay demon after demon, refusing to let even one infernal creature near her. He faught savagely and unrelentingly, slaying every demon that threw themselves at him. Never would he allow himself to fall again. Lucifer threw his great fist down at Salem but the warrior still never faltered, he braced himself under the blow and held the Devil himself at a stalemate "FOOL!!!" Lucifer roared "there is no escape from this prison!!! you will be damned here for all eternity!!!". But Salem still never faltered, he would never give up again. Nothing would ever take her from him again. Then a great ray of light shined down, casting light on all the inferno, and the great king, crowned on high, that once before conquored the inferno in his three days, came down, shining so bright that none in Hell could lay eyes upon him. Lucifer roared and howeled in rage and fury as, the shining one took both Alanael and Salem by the hands and raised them from the inferno back to the world of man. When Salem open his eyes, he saw Gabriael and Uriel kneeling before the crowned one. Then the crowned one took hold of Alanael and they both began to accend to Heaven. Salem looked up at her one last time as they accended, her face so immaculate, and her golden amber eyes shining so brightly, he felt relief, after a life of trials and test for her and an afterlife of going to hell and back to save her, it was finally over. It was all worth it. Even if his sins and defiance would keep him from seeing her in Heaven, just knowing she was there, where she belonged was all he needed. As he watched her disappear into the light he whispered his final words "I love you" Then he turned to Gabriael "it is done my friend" he spoke so calmly "her soul is where it belongs and i can finally rest in piece" "No!" Gabriael caught him "there is still one more task to be done". Salem laid down, his body now so badly fatigued his could hardly bare to stand and he calmly spoke "What do you ask of me? You have taken her to Heaven, and for that i am indepted to you and our Holy Father. I give myself to him, to carry out his will" Gabriael smiled "Behold! my brother comes!" and a light shined down from the sky and the Archangel Raphael came down. Like his brothers and sister Raphael had luminous skin, and glowing blue eyes, his light brown hair hung just under his strong jaw, and his build was slender and toned, slightly

smaller than Gabriael, but just as tall. He looked different than the other Archangels in some way. Michael, and Uriel, now that Salem could see her but had a diciplened look about them, they looked like they had a warrior's essence about them, and were somewhat rubust and Gabriael, though he seemed more refined in manner, and had a somewhat gentle look about him, but something of that hidden fierceness still lingered in him. Raphael though, though still similar in stature did not seem so threatening, his appearence was somewhat welcoming and inviting, not like a fighter. Raphael came before Salem and spoke in a surprisingly loud and strong voice, but still somehow gentle and comforting, as he laid his hands upon Salem, Salem felt all the pain and fatigue of his battles begin to fade, and his wounds began to heal instantly as he began to speak "Soldier of the Holy Father in the name of the Holy Father, the Savior Son, and the Sactifying Spririt, I Raphael, voice of the Father, come before you and absolve you of your sins. I make you pure!" Light began to shine from Salem and he felt a holiness come upon him as Raphael continued to speak "Ego nomen vos Vindex of Deus! In the the name of the Holy Father i name you Avenger of the Holy Father! Rise Ultorael! Rise brother! and take your place among us! Wield the Fiary Sword as the Almighty's Champion and live forever with us in the eternal kingdom of light! Rise Now!" As he arose from his knees, he felt the horrible burden of sin lifted from him, and what was the purity of sactifying grace come from within him. For the first time he spread six magnificent white wings and took flight. As he accended to the gates of Heaven he once more saw the beautiful face of Alanael there to welcome him.