6.2 Michael – The Might of A’H – The Apocrypha of Azazel

Book VI: The Illuminati
Chapter 2: Michael – The Might of A’H

As bad as Rhokki’s incident was this Gabriel, it paled in comparison with what happened next.

Apparently inspired by Rhokki’s rebellion, three more ‘fallen’ angels decided to try their hand and breaking away from Lucifer. Two of them you’ve met before (Alyssa and Pan), but the third is probably new to you (Oceanus). Now none of them were present when Gabriel visited, but surely they’d heard about it through the lumenarc grapevine. Yet it seems they didn’t listen to closely to the archangels commands, because rather than try to help Rhokki rescue the tortured stellarones or take up this angel’s quest on their own, instead these three godlings called a meeting of Lumenarcs on Terra where they proclaimed they were choosing the Middle Plane as their home world and no longer going to visit Illusia. They encouraged the rest of us to join them.

Don’t get me wrong. I could totally understand how Pan, Alyssa, Oceanus, or any lumenarc might grow weary of Baal-Zebub’s tyrannical rule and the endless cycle of subservience he required of us. And I could sens a few of the other lumeanarcs were inspired by this trio’s rebellion, but before anyone else could speak up I warned them.

“You’re signing their own death sentence.” And I couldn’t help laughing as I added. “What’s going to happen after your <hellfire> expires?”

Pan, with his wild mane of hair and fierce eyes, angrily replied. “We can’t continue like this, Azazel. We must find a way to break free from Lucifer’s grasp.”

Alyssa, her ethereal beauty marred by the weight of the predicament she apparently hadn’t considered, twirled her blond locks anxiously. “But how, Pan? We are bound to Lucifer by the very essence of our being. The <hellfire> sustains us.”

Oceanus – a lumenarc who’s spirit ever gravitated between being calm as glass to boiling over, spoke now with a quiet determination. “There must be a power greater than his that can sustain us.”

Whilst the gaggle of lumenarcs continued talking, I considered secretly reaching out to Lucifer to turn them all in – the score could have netted me major brownie points with the big boss and perhaps kept him off my back for awhile. Yet before I could make the move, there was a brilliant flash of light.

Michael The Mighty, Archangel of Illyria and one of the Four Great Illuminati was suddenly hovering above our ranks, his presence radiating divine authority and power.

All of us cowered at the sight of him – for this was the High Lumenarc, the general of The Great Creator’s Heavenly Army and the persona directly responsible for destroying our rebellion and locking us all inside The Firmament. His very presence was overwhelming, a living testament to the might of A’H.

His wings beat the air, pummeling us with their power. Of all the lumenarcs, great or small, Michael had always possessed the greatest angelic wings – embodying the grandeur and power of his station. Each wing adorned with countless feathers that glimmered with a radiant light, that shifted from a brilliant gold at the base to a shimmering white at the tips. When fully extended, Michaels’ wings spanned an incredible distance, creating a halo of pure light around him. It felt like each feather was conduit of divine power, filling the air with a palpable sense of awe and reverence, reminding all of us lesser lumenarcs that this was a being of unimaginable strength and authority.

From his armor gleamed with an otherworldly brilliance, each plate inscribed with sacred symbols that pulsed with celestial energy that was nigh blinding. His eyes, had we been able to look into them, flamed with the color of molten gold, burning with righteous fury and reflecting his role as the enforcer of A’H’s will. Yet greatest of all was his sword – a blade so far beyond imagination I can’t describe it except to say that it was <The Power of A’H> – capable of cutting through the fabric of reality itself.

The last time I’d seen Michael, it was when he’d punished Lucifer for his abuse of Eve – imprisoning his fellow Illuminati in Illusia for the crime. That visit had been overwhelming, but thankfully brief and the great angel had never paid attention to me at the time so I’d escaped without harm.

Yet this time, Michael was looking upon all of The Fallen – and we scurried away in fright.

“Stay!” The Mighty One’s command boomed with authority – instantly stopping our flight.

When he landed, the ground trembled under his feet, knocking us to the ground. Like the rest of my brothers and sisters, I feared the thunder of his voice – knowing it would reverberate through our souls, lacing them with pain. His gaze swept over us, filling us with even more fear.

Pan, unable to look upon the power before him, tried speaking, “Have you come to condemn us?”

Michael grumbled a kind of laugh, “I offer you redemption.”

Something within me rebelled at the thought, so gathering my fortitude I said, “Gabriel has already told us of Rhokki’s Impossible Que-”

“There is another way.” Michael was perturbed at my insolence.

Alyssa, her voice trembling with hope, kept her head bowed as she asked, “What must we do to earn this sanctuary, dear Michael?”

At that the archangel raised his sword, its glittering blade gleaming with divine lightning, and again sending us all to the ground in abject fear as he proclaimed. “Contend against Lucifer’s minions in this dimension. Fight the spread of darkness. Save Gaia. Prove you are worthy through battle! Then will I help you.”

Oceanus was crestfallen, “Such a task may be beyond our powers.”

“And what about our lifeforce?” Pan prostrated himself.

“So long as you fight against Lucifer, I will ensure A’H provides all the lifeforce you need.” Michael assured them.

The three fallen angels dared to rise from the ground and exchanged glances, their resolve hardening. Pan, with renewed determination, declared, “We will fight!”

Michael smiled, and the once overwhelming aura that surrounded him softened ever so slightly, allowing those of us who dared to cast a glance upon him. But then he warned, “A’H grants you a second chance. You will not get a third.”

Just then storm clouds surrounded the Mighty One and with a volley of thunder and lightning Michael vanished!

Pan, Alyssa, and Oceanus were immediately surrounded by admirers. And although not every lumenarc was agreeable to abandoning Lucifer, more than a few at least paid lip service to it.

As for me, I stayed apart from the crowd, all the while cursing Michael and thinking “It’s Not Fair!” Yet as I wandered farther away, I realized something – Michael’s agreement to keep these rebels supplied with lifeforce on Terra seemed to prove one of my theories was correct: if you recall, I surmised that if Lucifer’s fallen lumenarcs could destroy this dimension then it would adversely impact A’H and maybe even destroy It. I believed that Michael’s actions today showed me I was indeed on the right track! And that was wisdom I could use to further my own designs.