Lemuria by Burt Clinchandhill (epub e ink reader TXT) 📕

I stood behind him, along with my two Empyrean brothers, Raphael and Sandolphan. Each of us prepared to do anything we could to end this bloody conflict. Yet we were not the only ones on the island providing support. Some distance behind Lucifer stood Ramiel, Rampel, and Douma, three of the wayward sons of the Empyrean. Each of us waited there to make sure the others did not meddle in their fight.

“Well, little brother,” Lucifer said with his infamous smile. “We should get this over with. I hear there is an empty throne in the Kingdom calling my name.”

“You shall never see it!” Michael shouted, racing toward our big brother.

The battle started just like the one at the Altar, with both taking turns delivering and parrying attacks. This time, however, they fought with much more intensity. At times their attacks were so quick that we could not even see them, but their weapons clashed with resounding clangs. The sounds of their battle were the only ones heard throughout the entire Pelagos Valley. Heaven in its entirety had slowed to watch the clash between these two titans.

Lucifer was the first to land a clean strike. He sliced Michael deeply across his left leg. Falling to one knee, Michael continued to block Lucifer’s attacks. All the wayward angels cheered Lucifer’s name when they saw Michael go down. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sandolphan grab his swords as if he prepared to enter the fight. I quickly stopped him.

“Let me go!” he shouted. “If Michael is bound now then all is lost.”

“I know this.” I directed Sandolphan’s attention to the other side of the island. “But if we join in, so will they, and Michael would be no better than he is now. We are just going to have to wait this one out.”

From the look in Sandolphan’s eyes, I was unsure if he would listen to me. Fortunately, Raphael agreed with my reasoning.

“Have a little faith, Sandy,” he said with a smile. “Michael is going to win this one. Do not forget I am always the best at picking the winners.”

“And what if he does not?” Sandolphan glanced at Raphael.

“Then I hope it is not too late to join Lucifer’s side.” Raphael chuckled, and Sandolphan and I both stared blankly at our brother. Raphael quickly reassured us with a grin. “I was joking. However, if Michael does lose, we may want to rethink our choice.” No matter what situation Raphael found himself in, he never took it seriously.

I turned my attention back toward the fight. Michael was still on the defensive, blocking and dodging Lucifer’s strikes. As I watched, I noticed something odd. My Empyrean brothers, Metatron and the Four, were nowhere to be seen. They had to have heard my horn. Where were they? Lucifer was also missing two of our Empyrean brothers from his side. Xaphan and Forcas were neither on the island nor in the sky. Although, Forcas could have been directly in front of me and I would not have known it. I wondered what my wayward brothers were doing, especially at a time like this.

Sparks showered from Lucifer’s hand as he released a lightning bolt that sent Michael tumbling through the air. Before he could regain his footing, Lucifer was on top of him, continuing the onslaught. I wanted to believe that Michael could win, but the way the fight was going cast serious doubts in my mind. Lucifer repeatedly delivered strikes against Michael who noticeably grew weary from blocking them.

Out of nowhere, my brother parried one of Lucifer’s attacks, driving his sword through Lucifer’s stomach. Based on Michael’s slight smirk, he had planned this the entire time. Michael easily dodged Lucifer’s next strike as he rose to his feet. Then, with the same fluid motion, he sliced off Lucifer’s right arm and wing. All my brothers in the skies above cheered wildly as the wayward angels quieted.

Michael stood tall and placed his free hand on Lucifer’s chest. “I told you the outcome would be different.”

Blood poured from Lucifer’s mouth, yet that arrogant smile never left his face. “We both know this fight is far from over, little brother.” He laughed

“We shall see!” A strange light emitted from Michael’s hand. In a flash, Lucifer was sent flying across the island. Lucifer’s damaged body nearly collided with Rampel, who quickly vanished to avoid it.

Lucifer moved faster than lightning. He disappeared from our sight in mere moments. Michael lifted his sword high in the air as we cheered louder. I could not help but wonder why he did not try to bind Lucifer when he had the advantage. Before Michael could speak, he dropped his sword and keeled over in pain.

“What just happened?” Raphael asked worriedly. “Did Lucifer do that?”

“He could not have,” Sandolphan replied. “Something is not right.”

A large puddle of blood pooled underneath Michael. Forcas had been careless, allowing some of Michael’s blood to flow down his robes, voiding his invisibility

“Forcas,” Sandolphan shouted as loudly as he could.

I heard his howl as a bright light flashed beside me. Raphael had already begun racing towards Michael and Forcas before I could react. Seeing this, Douma, Ramiel, and Rampel charged too. I fired an arrow that forced the three to duck for cover, and the battle commenced once more. By the time Forcas realized Michael’s blood was giving his position away, it was too late. Raphael had already picked up his scent. Before Forcas could get high enough, Raphael leapt and tore a chunk out of Forcas’s wing, sending him tumbling back to the ground.

Sandolphan and I were outnumbered but held our own against our wayward brothers. My arrows kept them at a distance for a short time, but Rampel was too fast. None of my arrows could touch him. In no time, Rampel got close enough to knock my bow from my hands. With the threat of my arrows gone, Douma came out from cover, rushing to aid Forcas while Ramiel barreled at me.