Chapter 10

  After severing Azazel’s head, Samael barely had a moment to celebrate before his foe regenerated and launched another ferocious attack. Samael parried the initial blow, but in the ensuing clash, a swift upward slash nicked his face. The legendary duel raged on, and despite his skill, Samael sensed that Azazel held a slight advantage.

  Damn, he used the Reverse Swallow again—I must end this, Samael thought as the battle escalated. Their blades clashed in a blur of steel and energy. Samael parried the downward slash, but Azazel's next strike came dangerously close to cleaving him in two. He barely managed to redirect the sword downward at the last second, yet Azazel remained unfazed—elated, even.

  One more Reverse Swallow and Samael dies," Azazel thought, lowering his blade.

  However, his blade abruptly halted as it struck the ground. In that brief pause, his eyes narrowed, spotting Samael’s sword surging toward his spirit. He attempted to deflect it, but as his hand reached for Excalibur, Samael transitioned into a slash, severing Azazel’s hand.

  Without giving Azazel time to recover, Samael thrust his blade through Azazel’s chest, unleashing a shockwave that tore through it, sending him flying. Yet Azazel barely held on, gripping his sword tightly.

  How is he still holding on? Did I miss it? No, my accuracy is perfect. He must have moved his spirit. Interesting. Samael marvelled but prepared another thrust.

  Azazel, seeing the power Samael poured into his sword, broke the seal on his weapon and was sent hurtling backwards.

  Samael lunged to continue his assault, but Azazel used Reverse Swallow to change directions multiple times, dodging at unnatural angles. Samael pressed forward, relentless in his pursuit.

  Azazel gritted his teeth. Frustration flickered in his eyes as he slashed upward in a diagonal arc. But Samael had already moved—anticipating the strike, he slipped into the perfect counter position.

  Realizing this, Azazel attempted another Reverse Swallow to counter, but his sword was sealed again, rendering it motionless.

  Seizing the moment, Samael drove his blade deep into Azazel’s spirit, and lunged forward, propelling him across the realm with relentless force. He continued his assault until the sword fully impaled him.

  Without hesitation, Samael soared into the sky, dragging his foe along. He channelled the raw power of Excalibur, unleashing it as a concentrated burst of solar energy. This ignited the sky in a blinding explosion.

  The sheer force sent Samael hurtling backwards. He twisted midair, rolling upon impact to absorb the shock before pushing himself upright, chest heaving from exertion.

  The telepathic voice from Excalibur crackled in his mind: Master, we have only 30% of our energy left.

  “I know,” Samael muttered, noticing Azazel’s presence. He barely managed to deflect the incoming strike.

  Azazel smirked. “Impressive use of Revelations: Eternal Seal. But I won’t be fooled twice.”

  Once more, their blades met in a dazzling display of speed and power. However, due to the power stone, Azazel’s output increased. Samael was forced to dodge rather than block.

  “Wow, even at that speed, you can still dodge? But the end is coming,” Azazel taunted as he charged his sword with energy.

  This is bad. If this continues, I’ll...

  Master, don’t talk like that… We can still win.

  Thanks, Excalibur… Metatron, have all our brethren retreated?

  No, only Jophiel remains… She’s still out cold.

  Then I have to hold on a little longer.

  Forget her, Samael! Your life is more important!

  What kind of leader abandons his subordinate to save himself?

  Metatron was silent for a moment before replying. Just don’t die, okay?

  No problem. Samael grinned, refocusing on the battle.

  Their duel became a deadly dance of precision and desperation. Azazel’s charged strikes and omni-directional slashes met Samael’s pinpoint counters. A perfectly timed upward diagonal slash carved a deep wound across Azazel’s torso, staggering him. He grits his teeth noticing his injuries weren’t healing, he knew one more slip-up could mean death.

  Samael lunged, but Azazel blocked and overpowered him, hurling him backwards. Samael used the momentum to backflip mid-air, then propelled himself forward with telekinesis, accelerating beyond Azazel’s reaction time. His blade struck the same wounded spot, cleaving Azazel’s soul in half.

  Just as Samael prepared to end the fight, a sudden gravitational surge from Azazel hurled him backwards.

  Samael growled, “I almost had him.”

  Azazel slashed wildly to buy time, but Samael’s blade deflected each strike back at him with overwhelming force. Azazel erected a shield in response, but Samael shattered it with a single strike.

  In rapid succession, he thrust his blade twice—each strike rippling through Azazel’s spirit before hurling him backwards. Azazel flipped, landing smoothly before slashing across Samael’s torso, forcing him back.

  Both warriors, bleeding and weakened, understood that their next move would end the fight.

  “I think it’s time we—”

  “—ended this,” Azazel finished.

  They both closed the distance and attacked. Samael, with less than 5% of his energy left, prepared a diagonal slash, believing it harder to counter, while Azazel opted for a thrust.

  Samael deftly deflected Azazel’s strike and landed another devastating slash across his soul. For a heartbeat, victory seemed certain. But Azazel, at the last moment, deflected Excalibur just enough to avoid destruction. Capitalizing on Samael’s momentary vulnerability, Azazel landed a clean hit, sending him reeling. Blood spilled from Samael’s lips as his vision darkened.

  Master, we used all our power to survive that attack… We need to retreat.

  Has Jophiel retreated, Metatron?

  No, and what’s worse, Camiel has taken her hostage.

  Damn him. He’s trying to stop me from escaping… Excalibur, is there anything we can do?

  I’m afraid not. If you don’t retreat now, you will die.

  Unfortunately, I can’t. I have to persevere. Samael forced himself to stand, using Excalibur for support.

  “Such annoying resilience.” Azazel sighed, exasperated. “This is getting tedious.”

  Azazel drew more energy from the power stone, further fracturing his spirit. “However, you die now,” he declared, impaling Samael with a lethal strike.

  “Imp—impressive,” Samael gasped. “But I will not die here.”

  He swung his sword, but Azazel dodged and slammed him to the ground. Samael groaned in pain as Azazel twisted the blade inside him.

  “The great Samael, about to die at my hands… Any last words?”

  Samael chuckled weakly. “Heaven will avenge me.”

  “But you will still be dead.” Azazel pumped his sword with destructive energy. Samael’s soul disintegrated into light particles, floating to the sky.

  “Samael!!!” Metatron let out a primal roar, as he tore through the sky, streaking towards his fallen student. The sight of Samael’s light particles filled him with rage.

  “I’ll kill you!!!” Metatron screamed, breaking his seals.

  When Samael said Metatron would lose to Azazel he was talking about him with his seals. Without his seals is a different matter. Azazel may be strong but he is nothing compared to Metatron who can match Samael when he is nearly at his peak.

  But before he could strike, something unimaginable happened. The scattered remnants of Samael’s spirit coalesced, reassembling him in a burst of blinding light.

  Azazel’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How is this possible?! I killed you!”

  Metatron, equally shocked, whispered, “Samael… you’re alive?”

  “It doesn’t matter—save Jophiel. I’ll be done shortly,” Samael declared.

  “Fine,” Metatron replied before taking off to Jophiel’s location.

  Azazel scoffed at Samael’s confidence but was instantly struck by a lightning bolt. The sheer force shattered his sword and tore into his spirit, reducing it to a mere 20% of its original size.

  “Hahaha… it has been aeons since I last used this… Chronogenesis, assemble!” Azazel’s sword reformed, glowing with an ominous light.

  Chronogenesis? The narrative of time itself. How did he get such a weapon? This just got interesting. Samael’s grin widened, a star gleaming in his eyes as his aura intensified.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Elsewhere, Camiel observed the battle. “Azazel is serious now,” he remarked, shifting into a battle stance.

  “I’m not concerned. Now, release Jophiel,” Metatron demanded, preparing for combat.

  “You should be. It’s been ages since Azazel used this power. Samael is as good as dead… such a shame. By the way, you’re not leaving here alive either.” Camiel’s aura flared menacingly.

  “Get out of my way, trash.” Metatron’s sheer bloodlust made Camiel’s nose bleed.

  “Wow, such potent bloodlust—I like it.” Camiel licked the blood from his nose before lunging at Metatron, igniting their battle.

  Meanwhile, Azazel’s sword finished charging. “Time to die… Chronogenesis!” He swung his blade with full force, unleashing a devastating beam that rewound existence to the moment of creation when only The Heavenly Three stood. It was said that only they could survive such an attack.

  “And there goes Samael,” Camiel muttered, landing a punch on Metatron, staggering him.

  “Samael! Not again… damn it.” Metatron, tears in his eyes, retaliated with a brutal strike that launched Camiel backwards.

  Wait… I can still sense his presence. How is he not dead? Metatron thought, bewildered. Then, a smirk formed. Hmm… to be expected from my rival.

  “What a good punch,” Camiel said, his head regenerating.

  As the smoke cleared, all eyes were glued to the battlefield.

  “Good riddance,” Azazel scoffed, resting his sword on his shoulder.

  But what they saw defied belief—Samael had stopped the attack with his bare hand. Worse yet, he had done it with just one hand.

  Azazel’s eyes widened, “How—” Before he could finish, Samael lunged, slamming him into the ground. The force scraped half his head clean off before Samael’s fists rained down in relentless fury.

  That’s… im-impossible! Only an authority or power comparable to one could stop that attack… yet he did it with one hand? What a monster, I have to help him! Camiel attempted to rush to Azazel’s aid, but before he could move an inch, Metatron’s foot connected with his head, sending him crashing into the ground.

  “Like I’ll let you interfere with my student,” Metatron said with a grin.

  “Damn you! I’ll kill you!” Camiel roared, donning his Destroyer Armour and launching an onslaught against Metatron, but all his attacks were effortlessly dodged.

  “Is this all you’ve got? I had no idea I’d be falling asleep while standing.” Metatron’s voice was laced with mockery, taunting Camiel.

  Camiel’s anger flared; his pride broken “You dare mock me? Trash!” His right arm transformed into a sword, and he slashed at Metatron. But Metatron countered with a single punch, shattering Camiel’s blade and obliterating his arm.

  What the…? No matter—I’ll use Reverse Swallow and destroy his head. Camiel grinned, executing his desperate plan. Yet again, Metatron dodged with ease, countering with a devastating blow that tore a hole through Camiel’s chest plate.

  Camiel briefly lost consciousness from the blow, but Metatron wasn’t finished. He used his palm to land an uppercut, destroying the armour on Camiel’s face.

  This forced Camiel to make a desperate attempt to win so he didn’t die. As he gets the uppercut. He tries one final reverse swallow manoeuvre, attempting a head butt. However, Metatron dodged, landing a head kick that sent Camiel crashing into a distant mountain.

  Since when was Lord Metatron this strong? At least… I managed to leave a scratch on him. Camiel’s vision blurred as blood poured from his mouth, before blacking out.

  “Hmph, it seems my seals have returned… If they hadn’t, you would’ve died from the first hit. I suppose Samael saved you again. I’ll spare you for his sake, but if you attack Heaven again, I’ll kill you without hesitation.” Metatron lifted Jophiel, prepared to leave—until he heard Samael scream in agony.

  While Metatron fought Camiel, Samael continued pummelling Azazel. However, just before he could finish him off, an indescribable pain surged through him. It was unlike anything he had ever felt. For the first time in his adult life, Samael cried out in agony. Taking advantage of the moment, Azazel transported all the fallen angels from Duadel to a secure location.

  Metatron’s eyes widened at Samael’s agony. Without hesitation, he grabbed both him and Jophiel, streaking toward Heaven in a blur of desperation. As soon as they arrived, he rushed Samael to the medical centre, shouting for Raphael’s help.

  Raphael and the other archangels were horrified to see Samael in such agony.

  “What happened?” Raphael demanded.

  “That’s what you’re here to find out,” Metatron replied.

  Placing his hand over Samael, Raphael performed a diagnostic scan. His face turned pale as he abruptly stopped.

  “What’s wrong?!” Metatron pressed.

  “To put it simply… his spirit is nearly fully corrupted. Only a sliver remains untainted—that’s why he’s in agony. If he succumbs, he’ll become… someone else entirely.”

  “Is that even possible?” Ariel asked, her voice trembling.

  “Unfortunately, yes. The corruption isn’t just attacking his spirit—it’s targeting his spirit origin.”

  “This is bad… If his spirit origin is corrupted, Samael will die,” Michael murmured, sorrow etched across his face.

  “There has to be something we can do!” Metatron insisted. “I refuse to let my student die.”

  “If we can purify his spirit, then we can save him—but the power required will be astronomical,” Raphael answered.

  “Fine. I’ll use all my power.” Metatron shattered all his seals and unleashed a purification spell on Samael. His screams intensified before he passed out.

  “Stop! If you continue, you’ll kill him!” Raphael shouted.

  “What do you mean? You said to purify his spirit—I did. Why didn’t it work?” Metatron’s frustration boiled over.

  “The energy wasn’t strong enough. If you continued, the corruption would have violently spread, killing him.”

  “Let me try returning his grace,” Uriel declared, shocking the gathered archangels.

  Gabriel’s gaze darkened. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Master gave me his grace to aid all of you.”

  “Why would he do such a thing? That’s—”

  “Enough!” Metatron cut Michael off. “Go ahead, Uriel.”

  Without hesitation, Uriel tore the grace from within himself and attempted to return it to Samael. However, Samael’s spirit violently rejected it, launching Uriel backwards as the grace was forcibly thrust back into him.

  Staggering to his feet, Uriel winced. “Was that supposed to happen?”

  “No…” he muttered. He turned to Raphael. “You said my light wasn’t strong enough. What if we combined the might of all the archangels?”

  “That would be sufficient,” Raphael admitted. “But the problem is, it would have to be sustained for aeons.”

  “That’s not an issue—we can do it, can’t we?” Metatron looked to the others. Without hesitation, they all nodded in agreement.

  “The real problem is Jophiel,” Raphael continued. “Her mana fluctuates after prolonged use. If that happens, even for a moment, the corruption will spread.”

  His words crushed the fragile hope the archangels held, leaving them in silent contemplation.

  Then, Jophiel’s voice broke through, casual yet piercing.

  “Why don’t we use Father’s light?”

  Her suggestion left the archangels stunned. Not because it was wrong, but because it was the only viable solution—and none of them had thought of it.

  “Gabriel…!” Samael called out, gripping his hand.

  Gabriel turned to him, concern flickering in his eyes. “What is the matter?”

  “Please… kill me.”

  The other archangels recoiled in shock. They had a solution—why would he say such a thing?

  “Why would you ask that?” Ariel questioned; her voice filled with disbelief.

  “I… I can’t take it anymore—”

  Before Samael could finish, Gabriel’s fist connected with his face, knocking him unconscious. The archangels gasped at the sudden act.

  “What?” Gabriel dusted off his knuckles. “He was complaining too much. Let’s get on with the plan.”

  Raphael exhaled sharply. “It could work. Father’s light radiates strongest in the first layer of Heaven. If we bring him closer, we may be able to condense it onto him.”

  Together, the archangels carried Samael to the entrance of the throne room. There, they condensed The Lord’s light onto him, infusing him with divine purification. To sustain the process, they placed an infinity seal on him, ensuring the spell would continue until he was fully healed.

  Aeons passed before Samael awoke from his slumber, weakened by atrophy yet determined. He donned the white robes and golden sandals of Heaven, his golden archangel badge gleaming on his chest. His first steps led him to the third heaven, where the archangels resided. Ariel was the first to greet him, embracing him warmly.

  “Brother, you’re awake at last.”

  “Call a meeting immediately,” Samael ordered, his face devoid of a smile. A silent warning that something was amiss.

  In the meeting room, the archangels gathered, finding Samael already waiting for them. They greeted him warmly, but he remained silent, not smiling even once.

  "Sit. Let's begin," Samael commanded, his tone grave.

  “I need an update on what has been happening since I’ve been away,” he said, his expression unreadable.

  Uriel spoke first, boasting of their victories over the fallen angels, even taking pride in the two slain generals.

  Samael’s piercing gaze silenced Uriel’s bravado. “Are you the leader?”

  “No, Michael is,” Uriel replied, the confidence in his voice wavering.

  “Then why are you giving the report instead of him?”

  Uriel fell silent, allowing Michael to speak up.

  “Well, as Uriel said, we took down two of their generals. We've been doing great.”

  Despite the favourable report, Samael couldn’t ignore the unease gnawing at him—an instinct that never failed him, a sense of loss.

  His sharp eyes bore into Michael. “The truth.”

  Michael exhaled heavily, shoulders sagging. “We lost two angel generals.”

  The room fell into solemn silence, heads bowed in grief.

  Samael let out a quiet, sorrowful sigh. “Who were they?”

  “Melliel and Daniel.”

  “They will be remembered. And those traitors shall face Heaven’s wrath,” Samael vowed, as his fist slammed the table.

  As the meeting adjourned, Raphael lingered, concern evident in his eyes.

  “Nothing seems wrong, but I saw you clutch your chest in pain,” he said softly.

  “What do you mean?” Samael’s tone was calm, but it carried a guarded edge. Angels could not lie, so he sought to deflect instead.

  “Come on, I saw you—gripping your chest, groaning in pain.”

  “As perceptive as ever…” Samael muttered. “Explain what you meant by ‘nothing is wrong with me.’”

  “It’s phantom pain. Your mind remains tethered to the moment Gabriel knocked you out.”

  Samael scoffed. “I thought you were the smart one. That theory is far-fetched.”

  “Is it? If I told you that you’re stronger than before, would you believe me?”

  “Of course not. I’ve been using healing magic since I woke up, and nothing has changed. If anything, I feel weaker.”

  “Your healing didn’t work because there’s nothing to heal. The pain isn’t in your soul—it’s in here.” Raphael tapped his temple.

  “And how do you explain my mana output? It’s worse than before.”

  “Your mind is trapped in the past. Meditate, and see what happens.”

  Samael was about to let Raphael leave but suddenly stopped him. “Wait… who is the strongest among the archangels?”

  “Excluding you, Gabriel and Uriel are tied for first. I come next.”

  “What about Michael?”

  Raphael chuckled and walked away without answering. A smirk tugged at Samael’s lips. He couldn’t wait to test his student’s strength.

  Time passes and Michael asks Ariel about Samael’s whereabouts.

  “He has been in his room since the meeting… Raphael, what did you tell him?”

  “Only what he needed to hear. Don’t worry—we’ll see him soon.”

  “Why are you all talking about me?” Samael’s voice startled them. They hadn’t sensed his mana, nor his approach. If he hadn’t spoken, they wouldn’t have known he was there at all.

  “What have you been doing? We haven’t seen you since the meeting,” Ariel pouted.

  “I’ve been meditating. Now, I’m as good as new,” Samael replied with a calm smile.

  “I could never stay mad at you… anyway, we have a surprise,” Ariel said excitedly.

  “Funny. I know everything—you can’t surprise me.”

  “Close your eyes and follow me, then.”

  “Fine, I’ll—”

  “Master…!” Uriel’s sudden shout interrupted him.

  “What?”

  “I challenge you for the leadership position.”

  The declaration stunned everyone.

  “Why would you do that? Do you want to lose?” Michael asked, baffled.

  “I accept,” Samael said without hesitation, “but only after I see the surprise.”

  “Get ready to taste defeat,” Uriel said, his challenge shifting to playful banter.

  Samael turned to Raphael, eyes narrowing. “I see your hand in this… I’m impressed.”

  Raphael smirked. “Whatever do you mean? I’m just voicing what we’re all thinking. Has the student surpassed the master?”

  Samael scoffed, refusing to dignify the notion with an answer.

  Blindfolded, yet filled with curiosity, he allowed himself to be led through the air to an unknown destination.

  “Here we are. You can remove your blindfold,” Ariel announced.

  Samael did so and was momentarily breathless. Before him lay a world unlike any he had ever seen.

  “…It’s beautiful. I’ve seen many things, but nothing like this—except Heaven, of course. Why is it finite?”

  “You’ll see. This is Earth—a planet,” Ariel replied.

  Samael raised a brow. “Earth? What kind of name is that?”

  “It’s the name Father gave it,” Raphael added.

  They entered a lush, verdant paradise.

  “Huh… this looks familiar,” Samael mused, stroking his chin.

  “That’s because it’s a replica of a garden in Heaven,” Ariel explained.

  “Master, shouldn’t you already know this?” Uriel asked.

  “Yeah, brother, what’s the problem?” Ariel added.

  “Nothing. I deactivated my power, that’s all. I figured you wanted to tell me something, and I wanted to experience it with my family.”

  “Hey, Raphael, what did you do to Samael? He’s acting suspiciously nice,” Jophiel teased. The archangels laughed as they continued through the garden.

  Eventually, Ariel spoke up. “Hello, you two.”

  Samael turned, confused. Who is she speaking to?

  “I want to introduce you to the final archangel, Samael.”

  Samael looked in their direction yet, he never met their gaze.

  “Brother, this is Adam and Lilith—the first man and woman.”

  Before him stood Adam, with his fit form and piercing emerald eyes, and Lilith, whose enigmatic beauty and sky-blue gaze seemed to hold a world of secrets.

  The origins of humanity stood before him.