The dark turbulent clouds were swirling in the sky, reflecting in the pools of Azraels eyes. He knew this town would not survive the coming onslaught, but he also knew the tornado held little threat to him so long as he was still conscious. Standing atop a 50-storey tower he stared down intently towards the streets, seeing the mortals flee hither and thither, attempting to shut themselves into various places of âsafetyâ. The Angel also spotted a looter running from shop front to shop front, taking whatever he wished.
Azrael stood up and, using his un-natural powers, began to glide down to the street level, to confront the thief. Arriving on the ground the thief turned to see Azrael standing there, a 6 foot 5 pillar of righteousness. However the thief was lacking in any sense, and quipped âWhat the **** do you want??â
âIâm here to bring about your demise evil-doer. Thy shalt not covet thy neighboursâ possessions!â cried out Azrael.
âCovet this!â yelled the thief, aiming a punch right in the center of Azraels stomach. The blow would have floored any mortal man, but it did less than anything to the Archangel, due to his breastplate that no mortal weapon can pierce. The thief instead broke his fist upon the armour, his knuckles splintering and splattering blood over Azraels robes. Azrael brought up his left hand and gave the man a tremendous backhand, the irony of his attack not lost on him.
âSo thatâs what it felt like when He did itâ¦the satisfactionâ¦â
With that he strode over to the now crumpled heap of a human lying 4 feet away, and grabbed him by the neck, single-handedly lifting him into the air. âNow you will go to meet your keeper in death.â He said, rising up 30 feet in the air.
âYou know, Iâd have though a servant of God would be a lot less cruelâ¦â said a mysterious voice from behind him.
Azrael answered the voice with âThis person is not fit to continue living, he is full of sin and must be punished.â Turning around he added, âWho are you to question my actions?â
A cruel smile flickered over the unknownsâ face. âAre you sure you want to know thatâ¦Azrael? Because if you found out who I truly am I doubt youâd have any more desire to âjudgeâ that pathetic fool in your hand.â
âTell me now infidel before I cast thee to the fiery pits!â exclaimed Azrael.
âHa, you amuse me. For that is precisely where I come from. I am the Ultimate Fighter of Beelzebub, the sole demon he chooses to carry out his tasksâ¦such as bringing to him the previous Angel of Death. My name is Rocky, and you are no longer in control of your destiny.â He said with slow satisfaction.
The man held in Azraelâs hand had now awoken from the blow he received, and was fighting for freedom from Azraels firm steely grip. Realising this Azrael swung his arm high in the air and threw the thief headfirst straight down to the ground. With a sickening âcrunch!!â the mortal hit the pavement, never to rise again.
âWhat would the most unholy, vile, sinful and low creature want of me?â questioned Azrael, landing softly on the ground next to the corpse he just brought about. âAnd how does a mere demon like you expect to bring me to him? I know you are evil, I can feel it in you. But you possess no powers strong enough to withhold me or destroy meâ
âYou have no idea of my capabilities, whereas I know all yours. For Satan has watched you carefully this last century, watching for your weaknesses and finding how we can exploit them to our advantage. You cannot hope to be the victor of this battle, your talents have been too long unused against these mortals.â With that Rocky flung his coat off his body, exposing his hideously scarred and burned body. To match his glinting medallion that lay against his breast, catching the little light that penetrated the thick clouds, his equally reflective wings expanded out, creating an impressive picture of evil.
Azraels thoughts raced through his mind, âCould this vile beast be right? It has been many centuries since I have used my full powersâ¦but I must be victorious or I will lose my Lordsâ favour!â
Rocky smirked as he thought to himself âI will have this Angel captive in no time at all, the weak fool.â
âEnough of this exchanging of words!â growled the demonic creature, ânow we fight!â
Once done with this statement Rocky launched himself at Azrael, leading with a hard right aimed directly at Azraels jaw. With little consideration Azrael moved his head deftly to the side. âHmph.â said Azrael insultingly, as he slammed a fist into Rockysâ stomach, sending him stepping back clutching at his midriff, and preventing the move the demon-child was seeking, his Devils Curse.
âI can seeâ¦youâve lost noneâ¦of your speed, Angelâ the demon stated, sucking in air as he paused between words. The punch had knocked the wind out of him, and he was not happy that his poison would not be in effect. It would make the fight all the more difficult.
âSo it would seem. Thatâs not all Iâve retained, creature.â Azrael boasted, returning to a standing position. His eyes keenly monitored Rockysâ stance and posture, sensing a forthcoming attack. Not wanting to be caught on the defensive side of the fight, Azrael dashed forward, trying to land a series of blow to Rockysâ body. However his speed was matched by the demon, and each and every blow was blocked. Left hook, right jab, uppercut, nothing could break the demonsâ defenses.
Whilst Azrael was busy trying to find a hole in Rockysâ defense, the demon began smirking in arrogance, knowing he could match the Angel in close contact fighting if it was simply kicks and punches. He also knew that Azrael had not yet paid attention to his metal tail, which now swung around the side of his body and smashed into the side of Azraels. The force of the blow sent Azrael sailing through the air and through the front of a shop, the plate glass window following his trajectory. Before the demi-god could climb to his feet again Rocky flew in after him, landing a burst of punches to Azraelsâ chest and head.
âThis creature truly does possess much strength, it shall not be an easy victory.â thought the Angel, as he felt the blows ringing through the armour, something which had not happened in many a century. Azrael saw through the attacks and raised his own hands to catch Rockysâ, ending the onslaught temporarily. He then forced Rocky back through the shop, raining blows onto his body until they were out on the street, where he ended his attacks with a kick into Rockysâ jaw which laid him out on the road.
Looking down Azrael realised his breathing was now heavy, something that should not be. An Angel like himself should be able to withstand such petty attempts. Truly this battle would test his mettle.
A short distance away the demonic figure climbed to his feet, staring intently at Azrael. The two fightersâ gaze burned at the other, no feelings of compassion between them. Each knew this battle could only end in the destruction of the other, and both were all too ready to do just that.
Overhead the skies grew increasingly darker, the swirling winds of chaos coming closer. They had little time before the tornado bore down on them, but neither cared, they knew they were both powerful enough to weather the maelstrom. All that mattered was the being before them.
âYouâre time of judgment comes now Azrael, itâs over!â
âI will survive this demon, and then I shall go back to serving my Lord to vanquish other slaves like you.â