Chapter 49: Battle Cry - Part 7
As Hadraniel exchanges blow with Mammon and Belphegor, he feels the weight of fighting two powerful Archdemons simultaneously. His movements are becoming more laboured as he tries to dodge the arrows from Mammon's supercharged bow while also blocking the twin shields of Belphegor.
[Fwoosh!]
"That's it, Mammon. Keep him busy," Belphegor applauds as he begins his charge towards Hadraniel.
"Don't tell me what to do," Mammon replies while busy sending arrow after arrow down every possible route Hadraniel could use to escape.
Hadraniel's wings are starting to feel heavy, and his breathing is becoming ragged. Despite his growing fatigue, Hadraniel refuses to give in. He knows that the fate of the Heavenly Kingdom is at stake, and he is willing to fight until his last breath.
His sword glints in the dim light as he swings it with all his might, trying to find an opening in the defence of his opponents. But Mammon's arrows keep raining down on him, forcing him to keep moving, and Belphegor's shields are proving to be a formidable barrier.
Hadraniel grits his teeth and summons all his strength. He lunges forward, aiming his sword at Belphegor's midsection, but the Archdemon sidesteps the attack and counters with a swift strike from one of his shields. Hadraniel manages to block the blow, but the force of the impact makes him stumble, allowing Mammon to fire a volley of arrows that come dangerously close to hitting their mark.
[Boom!]
Hadraniel's heart pounds in his chest as he dodges and weaves, trying to evade the deadly rain of arrows. He can feel his energy waning, and he knows that he can't keep this up for much longer. He has to find a way to turn the tide of the battle, or he will be defeated.
With fierce determination, Hadraniel renews his assault on his opponents. He attacks with a flurry of strikes, forcing Belphegor to abandon his defensive posture and engage in a more aggressive style.
Meanwhile, Hadraniel tries to stay on the move, using his wings to stay airborne and avoid the arrows from Mammon's bow. With each combatant fighting tooth and nail for victory, the air is thick with the sound of clashing steel and the whistle of arrows, and the ground shakes with the force of their blows. Hadraniel knows that he has to give it his all if he wants to emerge victorious from this epic struggle.
[Wrap and Cut!]
"What the?"
Without Hadraniel's knowledge, a bladed chain wraps around his leg and slithers the armoured boot off his foot. If he had not transformed, one of his legs would have been amputated by now. Or he would already be dead if he were still the same Angel from before. As Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Sathanas, and Abaddon join the battle alongside Mammon and Belphegor, Hadraniel's heart sinks. The six Archdemons have now united against him, and he knows that he is in grave danger.
Mammon tries to strike fear into Hadraniel's heart, telling him that it looks like this is the end. But Hadraniel answers back unafraid, telling them to try him. The air fills with the sounds of clashing weapons and the roaring of flames as the Archdemons launch a synchronized attack on Hadraniel, each one unleashing their deadliest attacks at him simultaneously.
Hadraniel tries to dodge and parry as many attacks as he can, but the sheer force of their assault is overwhelming. His strength wanes as he struggles to keep up with the relentless barrage of attacks. Despite being outnumbered and outmatched, Hadraniel refuses to back down.
He fights with all his might, determined to protect the realm of Heaven and defeat the Archdemons. He summons his divine powers, countering back the immense evil corruption. His sword glows with celestial energy as he swings it with precision and grace.
The battle rages on, and each side is determined to emerge victorious. Hadraniel's strength wanes, but he refuses to give up. He knows that the fate of Heaven depends on his success. Still, despite his valiant efforts, Hadraniel's strength is no match for the combined power of the archdemons.
As the synchronized attack hits him with full force, he staggers and stumbles, his wings faltering under the onslaught. Mammon and Belphegor are quick to capitalize on his moment of weakness, unleashing a barrage of attacks that Hadraniel struggles to defend against.
As he tries to fight back with all his remaining might, Hadraniel needs to understand that he is no longer fighting just two archdemons, but a legion of them. Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Sathanas, Abaddon, and countless others have joined the battle, all determined to bring Hadraniel down.
Separated from the Angels, Hadraniel can only dream that any form of help will arrive his way. He has already prayed to God that His divine power is now imbued in him. How could he be more humiliated to seek more after God had helped him?
While the odds are stacked against him, Hadraniel refuses to give up. He fights with every ounce of strength he has left, from blood, tears, and sweat, but it is clear that the battle is slowly slipping out of his grasp. His once-shimmering armour is now dented and scarred, and his once-blazing sword has lost its edge.
Hadraniel's movements slow and his breathing becomes laboured. The Archdemons take notice of his weakened state and attempt again to press their advantage, pummeling him with more and more attacks. With a mighty roar, Hadraniel falls to his knees, his wings wilting behind him. He looks up at his foes, defiance still etched on his face even as his strength leaves him.
His tattered body flashes up multiple wounds and scars that with one glance, anyone could see that he should not be alive at that point. In the end, Hadraniel fights with every ounce of his being, but it is not enough. The Archdemons emerge victorious, and Hadraniel knows that his defeat will have dire consequences for the war in Heaven.
As Hadraniel lies on his deathbed, his wounds too severe to heal, he hears a voice in the distance. It is Beelzebub, making his way towards him. Hadraniel tries to summon the strength to get up, but he knows it is futile. He can only lie there and wait for Beelzebub to arrive. When Beelzebub finally reaches Hadraniel, he looks down at the fallen gatekeeper with a sense of respect.
"You were a challenging foe, Hadraniel," Beelzebub says, looking down at the fallen gatekeeper with a sense of respect. "So you should be proud."
"Proud?" Hadraniel mumbles. "Of what? Failing to hold our God's will?"
"He is no longer our God, Hadraniel," Beelzebub hisses. His brows arch with anger.
"Still is, no longer... Who cares? He created you, no? Cough..." Hadraniel questions and blood begins to escape yet another hole that is visible on his body.
The air suddenly fills with silence even though the demons surrounding him are talking loudly with one another boasting about their victory. Perhaps, the question posted filled Beelzebub's mind that nothing from the surrounding could enter his ear.
"I never expected the gatekeepers to be so powerful," Beelzebub gives his final say, avoiding the question.
"Never underestimate the gatekeepers," Hadraniel replies, managing a weak smile. His voice was barely a whisper. "Take this as a lesson, Beelzebub. I'm nothing but a Gatekeeper to a peaceful place. I wonder how strong Malique would be as he's the one overseeing that twisted place."
Before Beelzebub can nod in understanding, Hadraniel's eyes are already closed. He feels a sense of peace washes over him. He knows his time has come, but he also knows that his legacy will live on. The gatekeepers will continue to protect the realms of heaven and earth, even in the face of insurmountable odds.
As Beelzebub turns to leave, Hadraniel's last words linger around his mind. Malique's whereabouts are unknown to him, plus if Lucifer and the whole Archangels team up against them, not even the whole Demon and Angels army combined can stop them.
Yet, Beelzebub should not let the weak thought haunt him. He is now the commander of the army, their profound leader. If he shows any weakness now, the whole team will get disrupted. After all, he still has a score to settle with Lucifer.
They almost reach the end goal, this is not the time to deliberately turn back and run. To all the comrade that has fallen and become the sacrifice, painting Heaven's ground as Hell is the only prize they will accept.
Now, with their leader fallen, the takeover should be an easy task. Beelzebub can set his heart with ease. But the same thought prohibits him, turning from a haunting imagination to a lucid nightmare.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Aki_Kure
Aki_Kure Fact no. 31: "E" is the most common letter and appears in about 11% of all English words.
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