Michael, The [Archangel of War], created to utterly annihilate the hordes of Hell, pauses. Reality in front of it cracks and breaks; black mana pours out and suffuses through the air. A black gauntlet reaches out from the gap in the world, grabs the edge of the rift, and pulls the rest of its towering, armored form through. This, the Archangel senses, is a true threat.

Without further hesitation, Michael shifts his hand and redirects his attack towards the newcomer. The beams of light burn through the air and strike the body of the giant, only to glance off and melt the walls where they strike. Mule is left without a mark.

Jessica watches, mouth agape as Mule steps back into the world. The dimensional crack behind him shudders and pulls back in on itself, vanishing without a trace.

Mule has been reborn. The giant’s hulking figure is as large as the Archangel’s but clad in an exoskeleton of black, almost crystalline, plate armor. The tweaked and kludged together undead is no more. In its place, a sleek and deadly avatar of death intrudes upon the world, every plate and joint articulating smoothly and naturally in a way made armors do not, can not, match. Before Mule, even the [Archangel] seems tawdry. On his chest, the image of a winged fox, wings spread up and back, descends a path paved in bones.

It’s as though Mule has become someone entirely new. He looks so different that, for a second, she thinks it might not even be him except for the cloak she’d resewn so many times still on his back.

But then Mule turns to her and kneels.

“I heed your call.”

The words come out monotone and soft, a far-cry from the tinny voice the last time she heard Mule speak.

“Mule,” Jessica says slowly, a smile coming onto her face. She sags back against the pillar as the tension drains from her body. She relaxes and unbidden, unanalyzed, comes the thought, ‘Everything’s going to be okay.’ She releases a breath, slowly realizing that Mule now has an aura. A very comforting one at that.

“HERETIC! You would defy our most basic tenets!?” Micheal roars, his wings bursting with light as it points its hand at Jessica, “Undead are mockeries of life! Creations of HERESY!”

Jessica shifts her head, remembering that she is still in danger. The [Archangel] lives and she is pretty much out of mana.

Mule stands back up and turns to face the [Archangel]. The violet gleam coming out of the helmet slits seems to suck in the holy light around it, a baleful glow that pushes back the Angel’s influence.

“Activating skill [True sight]: Success. Entity designation: Michael. Class: [Archangel of War]. Level: 500.”

“Under the mandate of Heaven, all undead must be annihilated.”

“Possible threat detected from entity Micheal. Calculating odds… calculation completed. Chance destruction by entity Micheal is 0.000812%. Threat level of entity Micheal designated as very-low.”

The archangel spreads its arms, the intensity of its glowing wings increases once again as it releases even more of its mana.

“Heaven's Judgement has changed. This city festers with Heresy. Heaven’s radiance shall purge all Heretics!”

Balls of light start to form around the angel. At first only a few, but the number keeps increasing, ever-rising upwards in number. It's clear to Jessica that it no longer is focussed solely on her. The damn thing is going to strike the whole city!

“Mule, you have to stop him!” She points at the Archangel. “He’ll destroy the city!”

Mule looks down at Jessica, its eyes still glowing violet.

“Negative. Destruction of ‘city’ irrelevant to primary objective.”

“What? Mule, you have to stop that thing! It will kill everyone!” she pleads.

“Negative. Death of ‘everyone’ irrelevant to primary objective.”

“Ugghhhh,” she groans and frowns, thinking quickly. “What about me? It said I was a heretic and it plans to kill me.”

Mule pauses, the light in its skull shifts various shades of violet. Its head turns to the [Archangel] still forming more and more of those orbs of light. More than a hundred are above it and it still continues to increase the number. The [Lancer Angels] fly around it, prepared to defend it as it works.

“Statement: Entity Micheal is a threat to entity Jessica.

“Value: True

“Recalculating threat level parameters...

“Chance of death of Entity Jessica exceeds 0.00000001%. Threat level of Entity Micheal changed from Very-Low to Extreme.

“Activating Scorched Earth Protocol.

“Removing All Limits.”

From every pore, every piece, every part of Mule, mana bursts free, an amount far exceeding the Archangel. The undead starts walking towards the archangel, all while spell matrices form in the air around its body.

“Accessing spell Database…

“Commencing spell activations.”

The ground, the castle, the metal, all of it rumbles as Mule releases more and more mana. So much so that it feels like she is underwater.

But the undead ignores her plight.

“[Overclock], [Radiation Harden], [Stabilize Waveform], [Maximize Entanglement], [Still Cast], [Instant Cast], [Multi-Thread], [Multi-Cast],” Mule’s vocal readout speeds up and distorts as it begins to cast spells simultaneously, words overlapping, “[Amplify Magic], [Maximize Mana], [Maximize Mana Flow], [Greater Haste], [Emulate Mind], [Mind of Adamant], [Greater Discernment], [Absolute Focus], [Mental Division], [Voice of Many], [Greater Fire Resistance], [Heat Sap], [Greater Lightning Resistance], [Electric Sap], [Greater Light Resistance], [Greater Dark Resistance], [Greater Cold Resistance], [Greater Acid Resistance], [Greater Mental Resistance], [Greater Curse Resistance], [Greater Holy Resistance], [Greater Spell Absorption], [Mana Sap], [Greater Tremor Resistance], [Greater Blood Resistance], [Polymorph Resistance], [Plague Resistance], [Damage Resistance], [Armor of Adamant], [Bones of Adamant], [Steel Skin], [Necrotic Empowerment], [Necrotic Regeneration], [Spell Reflection], [Force Reflection], [Prismatic Barrier], [Secure Toupee], [Greater Elemental Ward], [Pressure-Lock], [Space-Lock], [Dimension-Lock], [Time-Lock], [Preferred Reference Frame], [True Observer], [Holy Ward], [Gravity Ward], [Suppression Ward], [Greater Air Shield], [Greater Air Wall], [Greater Shield], [Bastion], [Ongoing Renewal], [Fractal Defense Matrix], [Null barrier], [Reinforcement], [Degauss], [Broad Spectrum Absorption], [Minimize Cross-Section], [Minimize Heat Signature], [Greater Divination Ward], [False Information], [False Mind], [False Life], [Black Vision], [Heat Vision], [Magnetic Sight], [Scent Sight], [Mana Sight], [True Sight], [Detect Holy], [Detect Undead], [Detect Life], [Detect Infernal], [Detect Intent], [Eyes of Many], [Tremor Sense], [Sensory Sphere], [Maximize Sensory Sphere], [Undying Rage], [Fists of Adamant], [Arms of Durga], [Consolidate Construct], [Overlay Construct], [True Strike], [Giant Strength], [Word of Magic], [Mage’s Stance], [Juggernaut’s Poise], [Greater Levitation], [Air Walk], [Spider Climb], [Greater Agility],”

Mule lifts off the ground as more and more spells are activated. His body pauses in the air, staring directly at the Archangel floating right outside the castle. Over five hundred balls of light now dot the sky.

“[Greater Dexterity], [Second Chance], [Save State], [Immediate Return], [Improved Odds], [Greater Luck], [Knight in Shining Armor], [Damage Transfer], [Damage Absorption], [Taunting Presence],”

Mule raises one hand and points forward. At the end of his finger, mana swirls.

“[Mana Vortex], [Blood Power], [Spell Swarm], [Triplicate], [Maximize], [Triplicate], [Maximize], [Triplicate], [Maximize], [Spell Fusion], [Greater Empowerment], [Overload], [Overflow], [Surge]…”

A hundred matrices orbit his hand, spiraling at speeds Jessica can barely even comprehend, all concentrating into the growing whirls of mana at his fingertip.

A moment passes, the matrices speed up, and the mana of the room seems to calm for a moment.

“[Supernova]”

_____________________________________________________________

 

Having fun with kids, teaching them to dance, letting Joker dismember a bunch of [Rogues] on the rooftops, I can wholeheartedly say my day had been going really well.

Right up until night turned back into day for a moment.

That was my first warning, a warning that I noted but ignored because… well, kids. Look, it’s a large city and I’m sure it was someone’s job to keep an eye out for things like that. I could go out, make a big fuss, dramatically save the day to the adoration of the masses, get a medal from the [King] while pushing all his buttons…

But I was doing the Cha Cha Slide! At a barbeque! With kids! I couldn’t just leave them here, alone, without the joy the great master of music “Bone” could provide them! I had to at least finish the song. Then I could figure out what the light was.

The second sign something was up, came when the song ended. Boom! The castle exploded! The sound of it was probably heard across the entire city. The noise was enough to jolt the kids out of their fun and grab my full attention. I looked over and saw what I could immediately discern was an angel, acting all glowy and holy and whatnot over the smoking hole that used to be the upper floors of the castle.

“Shit!” I curse. “Kids! Get inside now!” I shout, but the children ignore me, their eyes glued on the castle.

Tisking in annoyance, I call up my Aura.

“GET IN THE HOUSE.” I order.

This time it registers. The children rush inside as I call up my mana, searching for a flying undead mount. In a moment, I’ve already picked an undead wyvern and have begun spreading my shadow out-

I scream as pure and utter agony consumes me, like a thousand needles poking the insides of my organs. Dragged to my knees by pain, I do my best to not pass out, even as something is happening in my chest.

No… not my chest, my Soul! “Oh shi-”

 

 

With the message displayed in front of my eyes, the pain disappears as fast as it came. I quickly stand back up and stare back at the castle. The angel, no, the Archangel hovers in the air, a swarm of angels surrounding it. It spreads its arms and I sense a release of mana and the rapid casting of spells.

“What… By the gods…”

I turn my head, finding the old woman Edith. A caring woman, though a low-level one.

“Yup. Death and destruction. Better grab a chair,” I tell her, shifting my head back to the [Archangel].

“W-what do you mean? Is that an angel? Do we need to run?”

I don't answer her question. Instead, I walk to the grill and take a patty off. I put it on a bun with some cheese, lettuce, and tomato, crafting the basic cheeseburger. Grabbing a chair, I turn it to face the castle, sit down, and lean back.

I take a bite and sigh. Not to stroke my own ego, but…

Ah, fuck it! I’ll stroke my ego all I want! I’m a fantastic cook, and I make a damn good burger.

Edith looks at me with an incredulous expression.

I chuckle, set down my excellent cooking, and raise five fingers as I sense the creation of a powerful spell within the castle.

Then lower it to four.

Then three.

Two.

One.

I point the remaining finger at the castle

A ball the size of a human head, so far away that unless you’ve got my level of perception and skill, you couldn’t see it, exits the hole, and ever so slowly reaches the Archangel. It touches the Archangel’s barrier and releases its payload.

Day returns to the night as a new sun appears in the sky and engulfs the Archangel. The explosion subsumes everything surrounding the Archangel, destroying its own attacks, the other angels, and even half the castle.

I frown. I really wish I could have pulled my sunglasses from my shadow. I take another bite.

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

A small projectile, a tiny thing compared to the full size of Mule is released from his fingertip. To Jessica, despite all the spells he cast, it seemed lackluster, especially with how lazily it flew towards the Archangel.

But the moment it struck, she first saw the light, then felt the heat, before the wall of air sent her flying back. She probably traveled a good five meters before she slammed into another pillar and fell to the floor. Again.

The impact aggravates her broken ribs, but she grits her teeth and powers through it. She blinks the spots from her eyes, ignores the ringing in her ears, and pushes herself to her feet.

“No,” she whispers, finding half the castle destroyed. The metal has melted, and a cloud of dust is slowly dissipating, but her thoughts are on the lives of those that have probably died. Half the castle, around fifty people if not more are probably dead.

Her head swivels to Mule, and for the first time in two years, she begins to fear him.

Swallowing her spit, she looks around, searching for her mask.

____________________________________________________________________

 

Mule stares at the smoke cloud.

No, not the cloud, but at what is within. The smoke means nothing to his eyes. He waits like a sentinel, allowing the cloud to disperse on its own, revealing the surviving Archangel.

Micheal remains floating with a barrier surrounding it, but the glowing sphere is riddled with cracks. The light shining from its wings has lessened considerably from its previous splendor.

But the Archangel's eyes still shine hatefully as it glares at Mule.

“Your existence is heretical,” it voices slowly and raises its hand, “Return to dust. [Divine Right]!”

From the sky, a beacon of light shines down, consuming the [Archangel], expanding its halo and smothering it in pure mana.

When the light vanishes, Michael’s equipment has changed. In his right hand is a burning sword of light, in his left is a transparent, glowing, scaled shield.

It points its sword at Mule.

“You have engendered the Ire of Heaven. Repent in your return to death.”

The wings on Micheal’s back flap once and the world stops as it accelerates towards Mule. The air thunders as the Archangel reaches Mach six.

Mule throws out a punch and teleports forward.

Micheal’s face and Mule’s fist create a shockwave as they touch. The Archangel goes flying back from the castle and out into the sky above the city. Before Michael can stop, Mule’s leg is already behind the angel, kicking it upwards and above the mountain.

Once again, Mule teleports, this time above. His hands come together and he slams downward, striking the Archangel in the chest, blasting him down. The Archangel strikes the ground and the earth gives way under the force. The mightiest of the angels lies tens of feet below the surface in the center of a crater.

But Mule hasn’t stopped yet. He descends, matching and then surpassing the Archangel’s falling speed, leg extended. A barrier rises up, but the foot doesn’t even stop as it breaks through. The Archangel raises its shield and it holds, but the arm holding it does not. It is forced down, cracking Michael’s arm.

It swings its sword, but Mule anticipates the strike. The sword arm is caught by Mule’s hand.

With his foot still forcing down the shield onto Micheal’s chest, Mules hand pulls the arm, ripping it completely off, flaming sword still in its grasp.

Mule throws the arm away and, with his weight still on the shield, he begins grabbing wings, ripping them off one by one. Then the legs. Finally, Mule grabs the shield arm and rips it apart before Mule steps back.

In the midst of a crater, the strongest Archangel lies dismembered, like an armored slug. The angel is silent, as is Mule. They stare at each other, one with curiosity, the other with rage.

The light in Mules eyes softens.

“Threat Neutralized,” he says and turns around. His body takes flight, gravity making him weightless.

“Heretic!”

Mule stops. He turns back, gazing at the Archangel. It lies there pitifully, light mana seeping out from its severed stumps.

“BY HEAVEN! I will return! I SEE YOU HERETIC! And I will kill you and all of your ilk!”

Micheal’s body disintegrates into glowing motes of mana.

Mule gazes down at the empty crater.

“Calculating… Retracting Threat Neutralized statement.

“Determining Problem.

“Threat Michael Escaped To Heaven.

“Statement: Threat Michael cannot be neutralized while in Heaven.”

Mules skull flickers through various shades of violet as it accesses information.

“Solution Found. Commencing protocol.”

Mule takes flight, a behemoth once more rising far above the city of Kurzix.

He stops and gathers an enormous quantity of mana, far more than the cost of the [Supernova] skill.

He then raises his hand. “[Create Summoning circle], [Forced Summoning], [Summon Archangel].”

In front of him, reality shudders as matrices activate, consuming several dozen times more mana that a [Grand Chancellor] would need.

“Entity Micheal,” Mule calls.

Once again, the heralded summoning of the divine being lightens the sky. Micheal comes into the mortal world once again, a new undamaged body coming into existence.

When it fully arrives, the Archangel opens its eyes and sees Mule,the same foe that brutally crushed it a mere minute ago.

“Here-” the Archangel begins, but Mule reacts quickly. His arm reaches forward and his hand roughly grabs the angel’s neck.

Mules skull glows bright. “Commencing Threat Removal.”

Mule place’s his other hand upon Michael’s head.

“[Shatter-Thought].”

Micheal screams as the spell activates within its head. Divine will fights back.

“[Shatter-Thought].”

It screams louder.

“[Shatter-Thought].”

And louder.

“[Shatter-Thought].”

“[Shatter-Thought].”

“[Shatter-Thought].”

“[Shatter-Thought].”

For the next five minutes, the city of Kurzix listens to the screams of the most powerful [Archangel] as its mind is ever so slowly broken to pieces.

Eventually, the screams slow to a complete stop. The Archangel stops moving, its body no longer floating. Only the hand around its neck keeps it from falling to the ground below.

Mule clenches his hand on the [Archangel]’s head; its skull shatters. The vegetable dies and its broken mind is returned to heaven.

When the body fully disperses, Mule speaks.

“Threat Neutralized.”

Then Mule looks around. His eye sockets look upon an army in the distance.

“New Threat Detected.”

It raises an arm and points at the army like a god giving judgment.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

It takes a long while for Jessica to regenerate enough mana to heal her wounds. A long five minutes of laying down and listening to the angel’s unending screams. The throes of the angel finally end as she finishes healing herself and finds her mask buried in a pile. The mask looks scratched, but otherwise undamaged.

She puts it on and rushes to the edge of the castle. She finds Mule, floating on high, his hand outstretched toward the enemy army in the distance. She looks around to see if she can find the Archangel.

Then it happens. Dark clouds gather over the army, forming quickly and billowing out from the center to cover everything, including Kurzix. The sky rumbles and a gentle rain comes down. Jessica ignores the water droplets. Her focus is on the distant army where it is not raining water, but hail the size of carriages.

At the same time, lightning strikes from the sky, hundreds every second, connecting the sky and ground in an ever-shifting, unending maelstrom.

Then the first meteor falls, punching through the clouds, followed by hundreds more. At the outskirts of the army, a dozen tornadoes rise up, shifting and twirling around the army, making sure that none can escape.

Tears fall from Jessica’s eyes as she begins to pray. She prays for salvation, for the soldiers…

For forgiveness.

“Eir, please help me,” she begs but hears nothing, only the pattering of rain around her.

She looks up and sees Mule.

She activates [Analyze].

 

“Quasi… what have you created…?”