<Snipped quote by Zyx>
*Dusting myself off and adjusting my tie, I saunter back out onto the street, arms open wide in a gesture of welcome*
I've traded one coward for another, it seems! Tell me little brother...
*My smile vanishes as my expression falls*
...why are you here?
Michael
*Steps out of the alleyway, eyes aglow with a blue light*
To do what I could not the first time.
*His fingers curl into fists*
To stop you.
*Blinks before cackling as my arms drop*
Stop me?! Oh that's rich coming from someone who ran like a dog at the first sign of danger!
*Continues to laugh until I eventually regain my composure*
Ah, at least Gabriel and the others made the attempt to stop me. You, on the other hand, just ran away to hide like the coward you are! Abandoning creation to its fate just like father!
*I step closer to thrust an accusing finger in his direction*
And now you want to do what? Waltz on back to play the role of savior in humanity's final hour?
*I scoff, my expression one of pure disgust*
What gives you the right?
*Shaking my head, I wave off Michael's response*
You know what? It doesn't really matter. I'm just glad you're back.
*I smile as I let my arm drop*
You know why?
Michael
*His eyes narrow*
*My body becomes suffused in a golden light as a pair of shadowy wings materialize on the ruined building behind me, and lightning strikes somewhere in the distance*
It's because I finally get to finish what father started, on my terms, not his.
*Lunges, landing a direct blow on Michael's chest that sends him flying across the city and through the interior's of several buildings*
*The fighting between us continues for days as more of the planet is destroyed, yet I refuse to relent, and Michael ultimately bends the knee - having been beaten into submission. Approaching him, I suspend him in the air telekinetically before fetching a gold triple-edged knife from my pocket*
It's over brother. I've won.
*I press the tip of the Archangel Blade to his throat*
Understand that what I am about to do is driven not by malice nor perverted pleasure, but necessity.
*Inserting the blade, I watch as it sears his flesh apart with ease to expose the Grace that lies beneath. Bringing him closer to me I siphon the celestial energy from his body, not stopping until I have consumed every last drop. With that done I close the wound and let my now human brother fall to the ground in a heap, slipping the blade back into my pocket as I do so*
I would apologize for things having to end this way...
Michael
*Remains silent*
But that would imply that the present state of creation is, in some way, my fault. But can the traits father wove into me upon my creation really be considered a fault? Let alone a fault of mine own doing?
*Exhales slowly*
I think not. He made me to play the role of his favored son, and then scorned me without consideration, just as he made you to be the ever loyal soldier destined to slay me. We were bound, you and I, to a fate we did not ask for, and an ending we did not wish to bring about. But here we are nonetheless...
*Approaches Michael and lays my hand upon his forehead*
...at the end of it all.
*Looking away, I smite him, burning his body to ash. Once the deed is done I let my hand fall, turn, and make my way back down the ruined street as the skies above me darken*
Story's over. Welcome to the end.
