***
Gabriel turned to make sure Humming Bird was okay. He put his finger to his lips and gestured for her to keep quiet. They had entered a large open hallway, to one side there was a long stone staircase. On both the ground and first floors were many doors which ran parallel to each other. A large standard hung from the ceiling high above their heads. The floor was polished and smooth, torches gave out what light there was and gave life to their distorted frantic reflections. He sensed something was wrong as he looked up. Drawing his sword he pointed to the stair case. There, standing stoically at the top, arms tightly folded with eyes narrowed, was Malachi. His long dark hair hung down his back. His chain mail coat was light and tight fitting. He clasped the hilt of his sword as it hung by his side, his dark breeches sunk into knee length boots.
“Well, well,” said Malachi confidently, “it does appear you’ve lost someone.”
“We’re here to get Uziel back. Know where he might be?” said Gabriel guardedly looking around.
Malachi gave out a derisive grunt.
“I was not referring to Uziel,” replied Malachi.
“I know who you meant.” responded Gabriel, “Tell me, Malachi, what brings you to Terra Azure - did you get lost yourself or perhaps you have finally learnt your lesson and are returning to the fold.”
“Huh, I did not realise I had a lesson to learn,” Malachi leapt from the first floor and landed in front of Humming Bird and with a swing of his arm smashed her to the ground. She was unconscious before she hit the floor.
Gabriel moved to intervene but was too slow. Malachi had already drawn his sword and had it pointed at him.
“Now Gabriel,” said Malachi, “we can talk without the interference of that Shaman.”
Malachi began to circle Gabriel like a predator seeking out a weakness in its prey. Gabriel did not flinch, his blade shone resolutely as he forced Malachi away from the body of Humming Bird. Then he knelt down by her side and felt her pulse. She still lived; he breathed a sigh of relief, while Malachi watched with a shake of his head.
“After all these ages and the great schism you still care about these primitive creatures,” said Malachi.
“They are filled with spirit and so are part of us,” replied Gabriel.
“They are part of you,” said Malachi. “Remember I was there with you when the war began and when brother first fought with brother. I fought at your side until I realised the hypocrisy of what we had become, that we were free to do as we wanted, free to follow a different way, to make choices, free of the concerns of The Equilibrium.”
“Yes,” replied Gabriel, “and look at those choices, a war without end, misery everywhere, years and years of turmoil. Congratulations - you’ve worked to destroy everything we stood for, everything we created; it amazes me that you feel no shame for what you’ve become. You are truly the brother of chaos.”
“You mean everything The Way created; everything The Equilibrium stood for,” said Malachi. “Why should we have been so bound, so controlled? Were we not entitled to be free?”
“Listen to yourself,” replied Gabriel, “you even sound like the Dragon. The Way is the only way not because there aren’t other ways but because it is the right way. If you and the others haven’t realised that by now then you are more deluded and lost than I thought and I pity the lot of you.”
“Gabriel,” said Malachi, “what you believe as being lost we see as being found. And at least we don’t go round killing the innocent because we were ordered to do it. Remember Egypt and the slaying of the first born - how noble was that?”
“It was our duty and even you believe in that,” replied Gabriel, “and if you don’t then your mind’s more confused than his. Have you already forgotten we’re the ones that save the innocent, no matter what people’s misconceived interpretations are of what we’ve done. To maintain the Equilibrium hard decisions have to be taken, you know that, above all you know that.”
“That’s always been the argument,” said Malachi “that you were just following orders, but don’t forget the Ananaki - they deserved saving too, remember, it is after all one of the reasons how we ended up on different sides.”
“That,” replied Gabriel, “was a long time ago; and you helped save the Ananaki not for their sake but for yours. Look at you, the mighty Malachi, how the meagre have fallen.”
“Still the same old Gabriel,” said Malachi, “a bad sense of humour and always turning up on the losing side.”
“Really,” said Gabriel, “last I looked your great leader had turned tail and ran.”
“Ah! You must be thinking of Helleos Prime,” replied Malachi, “Only you could possibly think that a strategic withdrawal whilst saving an entire army in the process; could be a defeat, instead of a masterstroke of genius.”
“Genius,” said Gabriel, “you appear to be well versed in such masterstrokes - you’ve been strategically withdrawing for thousands years. And as for strokes, why don’t you come a little closer and I’ll show you the feel of my blade.”
“Tell me,” returned Malachi, “do you really think I would waste my time fighting the great Gabriel?”
From the shadow of Malachi a shape began to rise reaching up from the polished floor. It was a Mage, its shape solidifying as it forced its way to the surface. It struggled as though it were breaching the womb. This was no ordinary Mage; taller and broader than even an Angelos, wearing a thick chain mail coat he drew a long broad sword, piercing blue eyes glared with a single purpose in mind: the destruction of any and all foes. He had long silvery hair and a strong muscular frame. His tight long breeches fell comfortably within metal knobbed boots.
“Say hallo,” continued Malachi, “to an old friend. I believe you’ve met; he’s even feared by the other Mages. Anyway I’d love to stay and watch but you know how it is; thanks to Moloch here I’ve got some important information to pass on to Lothos. So you two have fun.”
Gabriel tried to intercept Malachi as he purposefully strode away but as he did so he was met by the blade of Moloch. Malachi laughed at his ineffectual attempt to stop him; he lithely climbed the steps and disappeared through one of the doors at the top of the stair.
“It’s just you and me, then,” said Gabriel studying his old adversary.
Gabriel edged his way round step by step. The Mage did not take his eyes off him for one moment. And lifted his sword ready for the first blow, but suddenly a dagger was plunged into his neck from behind. It was Humming Bird; she slouched back to the floor. The Mage gave out a shriek of anger and wheeled round ready to plunge his sword into her, when Gabriel’s sword pieced his midriff, a look of malevolence lit up his eyes as he staggered forward.
“You have merely,” said Moloch, “driven me from here but as you well know I cannot be so easily destroyed. See you on the other side, Angelos.”
The Mage fell to the floor and as he did so he turned to a thick slimy sludge and sunk back into the shadow from whence he had come.
“I can’t wait for that,” said Gabriel dryly as he stood over the place where the Mage had disappeared.
Gabriel hauled Humming Bird to her feet. He placed his hand on her forehead and muttered something; energy passed between them; she came fully around, and was suddenly alert.
“Thank you,” said Gabriel, “I don’t know how you mustered the strength to do what you did but you certainly helped defeat one nasty foe.”
“As a Shaman I have certain powers that I am able to use in this realm,” replied Humming Bird with a soft smile.
“Come,” said Gabriel hurriedly, “Malachi went that way.”
The two flew up the stairs and disappeared through the same door that Malachi had used.