chapter Fifty-Senven
Mimi
he Angels Araquiel and Azrael had come to fight for the Light, to defend Heaven's Gate against its enemies. They flew into battle with a team of angels, arrayed in their golden armor, while everywhere, horns, horns, horns rang in triumph, just as when Michael had led the angels so long ago.
Their swords were aflame with the godsfire, and their hearts were pure and joyous as they fell upon the demons and their Silver Blood brethren.
They said there was no more beautiful sight that day than Araquiel cleaving the demon Leviathan in two, and bringing death to the death mongers. Azrael was a mighty valkyrie, her talons aflame with the light, and the demons cowered and fell upon their swords and scattered.
With the wolves at their side, the angels fought valiantly, and the stone tablet ran red with the blood of their enemies.
Azrael knelt down, taking a breath.
"Victory is ours," Araquiel said.
"Yes," Azrael whispered. But she stumbled, clutching her stomach, where she'd been wounded. The Black Fire had worked its way into her blood. It would consume her - she could feel its poison eating into her soul.
"You are Azrael. You are stronger than this," Araquiel said in despair. "You cannot leave me now."
"I don't want to leave you," Azrael whispered, but her lips were cold on his cheek, and he knew she did not have much time left.
His tears fell upon her face, bathing her with his sorrow.