It All Started with an Apple. Subtitled: Lucifer's forbidden fruit

Chapter 35 Micheal, Gabriel and Lucifer

Michael makes no mistake in waiting as he brings his blade hard against Lucifer's chin in upward thrust, the tip of the steal slicing a deep cut into the perfectly pale face of the Prince of vanity and pride. An animalistic growl escapes those sensual yet hardened by rage lips at the exact moment three drops of black blood falls like raindrops down his throat. Lucifer retaliates the thrust of his own sword leaving a gash across Michael's flushed cheek.

Wind blows savagely as a storm descends upon heaven, Lucifer and Michael struggle to see as they continue their dance of death. There once braided- pulled back battle- ready hair now loose and tangled whips across their ashen faces. Lightning bolts strike all around them-cracking the ground beneath and around them. Rain mixed with blood falls from the skies, but nothing stops them as they race against time to defeat one another. Both are matched in strength and skill- they are growing tired and sloppy, impatient. The storm grows in strength, and they must again extend their wings to keep from being blown away.

Blue light radiates from the fallen carcasses of angels and shoots straight at Lucifer's chest. He screams in agony as the energy ball shocks him inside out, making him tremble and stumble. One knee to the ground Lucifer's face twists in agony but he still manages to hold out his sword in hopes to block the blow he knew was soon becoming his way from Michael's mighty blade. Mustering up every ounce of power left in his being he swings his sword forth in a swift plunge.

Michael knows his fallen brothers weakened moment is his only true chance at saving God their father. He closes his eyes tightly swinging his valiant sword in a swift swishing motion to sever his brother's head. He cannot bear to watch the fatal blow he knows it will be for he still holds a tiny measure of love for Lucifer. Both Lucifer and Michael's blades swing true hitting the intended target they meant for one another yet unaware that another had stepped between them. Lucifer's double-edged blade plunged to the hilt-directly into the heart just as Michael's enchanted blade severed the neck precisely.

Micheal and Lucifer opened their eyes to a new horror and agony. "Gabriel!" they scream in unison as they behold the headless body of their beloved younger angelic brother. Throwing their blades aside they both fall before his lifeless corpse and weep. Michael lays his head against Gabriel's headless torso, his copper-colored hair is soaked with his brother's life blood, but it matters not to him. Heaven, God, the light, earth and mankind, everything he ever fought for meant nothing to him now. Gabriel was the purest of them all- never wanting war or hate between any realm. He was his only love besides God- Micheal's only true friend and family. Because of this war, this meaningless battle over a human soul he was gone forever. A war that in truth was never theirs to fight. It was God's war, and he was nowhere to be found. Anger washes over Michael- understanding at last. He finally understood why Lucifer could no longer follow the leader.

Lucifer kneels on his knees as his trembling hand caresses Gabrielle colorless face. He never wanted this- he loved his younger brother with everything he ever was and even though they no longer were serving the same master he would never have harmed him. He would have found a way, anyway, to grant his brother immunity and safety. If there was one thing he loved as much as Aelia it was Gabriel. Now because of this hatred and war against God his brother was forever lost to him. The agony inside of him is too great to hold in, with a cry so loud and anguished it nearly shatters the barrier between heaven, earth and hell, Lucifer cradles his fallen brother's head to his chest.

Asmodeus and Leviathan feel Lucifers emotions-hear his thoughts as if they are their own. Just as the fellow djinn and demon brethren also feel it. The war no longer matters to them for they hear Lucifer loud and clear- he is finished fighting, finished being bond by blood or oath. Djinn, demon, fallen angels all dropped their swords and Spears waiting to be annihilated by the remaining angels of heaven but the stroke of death never comes. All of heaven seems to be in a frozen state.

Asmodeus knows the reason for Lucifer's distress and despair. He feels remorse and pity for him, he turns to Leviathan with eyes of sadness. "Go get Aelia, our brother needs his mate to this is the beginning of the end of God and his precious heaven. I sense a shift in his angels, it seems they no longer wish to fight his wars for him or mankind now that Gabriel has fallen. We no longer need Lucifer as an ally but we do owe him for his great sacrifice he made today." Levithan nods- shimmering to Aelia. Soon after Asmodeus shimmers taking his warriors with him- leaving the fallen and the surviving angels alone in heaven with Michael and Lucifer. Lucifer and Michael stand staring at one another in silence as their beloved brother turns to ash as if he never existed. Both have so much to say but neither can find the strength to speak, both feeling lost and unsure of everything they ever believed in. Lucifer's his usually proud shoulders are slumped- his impressive raven wings are limp down his back. His matted blood- stained hair falls across his slightly bowed head. The agony of Gabriel's death is apparent in his face and stature. He looks utterly defeated and uncaring of what is to come. Michael also suffers the same, his own shoulders slumping just as his wings lay frozen down his quivering back. He cries not caring who sees. He no longer feels the valiant warrior- defender of heaven and mankind. He only feels bitterness and grief. With a few short gasps of breath and a shrug of his shoulders he turns from Lucifer and slowly walks away.

Lucifer watches in stunned silence as his fellow fallen brothers stand by motionless- letting Michael make his way past them to reach his own fellow Angel comrades. Angels who seem to also no longer know their place in the universe. When tears of blood and blue water fill his eyes to the point where he can no longer see either fallen or Angel, Lucifer again falls to his knees and weeps. His emotions are so strong they conjure up another type of storm, a storm of pure ash and brimstone mixing and mingling with blood, hail and rain. He wants to be buried in this storm lost to all time just like Gabriel.

After getting over the initial shock of heaven's current state Aelia follows the sound of her love's sorrow and screaming voice. She wades through the blood and falling feathers- fighting her way past the massive wind and crimson rain. She ignores the potent smell of coppery blood and decay that threatens to make her ill. Her heart races-her mind quivers fearing she has arrived too late. What if she cannot save him what if Gabriel's death has stolen all the life from him. Then she sees his face amongst the ashes and rain that slap brutally against her cheeks. Lucifer is covered in blood and muck, but she still knows that it's him- her Lucifer. He is screaming and crying like a lost child, and it tears her up inside to the point it nearly stops her heart- stealing her breath. She runs to him, unable to think or speak for what seems like eons. Aelia reaches him at last, she throws herself against his chest. Lucifer finally looks up at her with a single sultry tear falling from his eyes. His arms wrap desperately around her as if he is a child just finding the comfort of his mother's embrace. Aelia knows at this moment that the look on his face will haunt her for eternity. Her beloved fallen Angel and only love now knows the true meaning of loss and regret. Lucifer's war with God and mankind is finally over.