Chapter Text
Samael watched in silent awe as Father’s shimmering form clipped, expanded, and then dispersed throughout the room. The light fully encompassed Samael for a split second, causing him to turn his head and shield his eyes from being blinded, once it passed the tower fell into complete darkness.
When Father left he took everything in his near vicinity with him. All light and creation- meaning the inclined area in which He and Mother were was now completely void of everything, even air. Leaving only a thick darkness that left no trace of matter.
Still being able to see despite this, Samael hurriedly ran to where his Father previously stood, stumbling slightly in his haste as he transitioned from kneeling into a sprint. The floor closest to where Father hovered burned against his bare feet, causing him to jump around the surface, even going so far as to flap his wings lightly to keep himself in the air for a little longer. It didn’t cross his mind to simply step away from the heated metal. Samael smiled gleefully as he tiptoed and fluttered along the raised flooring.
As seconds pass by a soft glow of light seeped back into the tower's room and the floor cooled to a bearable warm. Samael looked around with open-mouthed excitement as the room returned to its former state of color, a cool brush of air filled the once-vacant space. Samael was ecstatic!
Samael was alive, and he understood he was alive! He could feel his thrumming heart and pulsing blood, he could taste the inside of his mouth, hear the patter of his feet and scuffleing of his feathers, see the room in its entirety. With the hyper excitement of a child, the thought of his own body shot through his mind. Without delay, he fell to the floor only barely catching himself with his hands, and stared intensely at his warped reflection against the clean polished steel.
The finer details were lost in the steel's reflection, but he thought the abstract version he saw was rather dashing despite this. He had long, wavy black hair that he had to move out of the way a couple of times to continue his scrutiny of his face- his eyes were a deep black, with a long nose that fit perfectly with his broad jawline. His expression remained a bright smile that completely overpowered his other features.
Samael brought his hands up to feel the stubble at his chin, eyes shining with a happy curiosity, he felt no need to hide the chuckle that escaped his lips. Samael tore his gaze from his reflection as he’d taken to stare at his hands with fascination. He watched as his hand moved and how his skin would adapt as he wiggled his fingers. He slowly stood, still enamored with the movements he made with his hands. It was all he could do to smile and gape at the proof of his own being.
His chest felt warm and bubbled with energy that shot through his body, Samael’s skin tingled and radiated a need to share this feeling of exuberance. To talk about it. To physically express it. He heaved an excited breath as he remembered he had siblings. In fact, he had one in the room with him- one that should be feeling similarly to him, as he too has just been created!
Samael turned sharply to look at Mikael. To see how he was taking this new- new thing, or uh, experience! What his features may convey, Samael wanted to know what the feelings he felt so strongly looked from an outside perspective. In an almost frantic movement, he went to Mikael’s side, mind already filled with questions and topics he felt would be interesting to discuss- only to stop as he took in Mikael’s position- …still kneeling on the floor, or he guesses slumped would be a better descriptor.
Samael moves towards Mikael in slow steps as he ponders his twin with a frown. When he thinks about it, he hasn’t seen Mikael move from his kneel since their creation. Once he was within a foot of Mikael he towered over him from his standing position, Samael held one of his elbows in his hand while his other hand held his chin, looking thoughtfully at the darker angel.
He wonders if Father gave Mikael the ability to move the way he himself can. Samael crouches down and settles both his knees on the ground in front of his silent, unmoving brother. Leaving hardly a few inches of space between them.
Samael feels it would be such a shame if Mikael were to remain in this(honestly, uncomfortable) bow for all eternity. He frowns as he tries to think about what Father’s reasons may be to create him in such an unfair way… It could have something to do with his purpose… Father seemed to place much importance on their purpose . Which, Samael supposes is necessary as even though it feels obvious to him, giving them a reminder of proper family values couldn’t hurt! But in what way’s could leaving Mikael to be motionless express their Father’s love..? Samael doesn’t know, maybe it’s in a similar vein to why he had to go through such a thing.
His bones scraped against each other, his skin burned as it stretched beyond its intended flexibility and split into clean chunks cutting muscle, tissue, and bone away in grotesquely perfect cubes that he knew were never meant to be separated in such a manner.
Samael shivered and shook his head to dispel the residual feeling that sunk its way into the no longer perceivable cracks in his skin. Father may have yet to explain it to him, but Samael knows his Father is a kind and loving Creator- so Samael has no doubts in his Father’s judgment. His eyes refocus on the top of Mikael’s head, from such close proximity Samael can make out the individual strands of Mikael’s hair and where they connect to his scalp. Samael’s lips pucker slightly, even if he knows Father’s intentions are good he still feels it rather cruel and unfair to make the two of them so similarly just to have one free to come and go as they please and the other remain as a statue of sorts. Samael moves his face closer to Mikael’s head, trying to crane his neck to properly see his twin’s face.
Well, he would make a rather eye-catching statue- being made just as beautifully as I have been. But then why leave him in the tower and not put him in a more central part of the city?
Just as Samael began plotting on how he’d get his seemly immobile twin out into the more spacious and people-filled streets, his thoughts were interrupted by a soft grunt and shift of Mikael’s shoulders.
Oh!
Samael’s face brightened as he watched Mikael fold and stretch his wings, slowly adjusting himself with a scowl. Samael marveled at the movements his twin made along with his scrunched and tired expression, his eyes still squeezed shut. Mikael suddenly freezes, causing Samael to as well- Samael watches eagerly as Mikael cautiously opens his eyes, face only inches from his.
Mikael’s eyes widen and Samael’s smile intensifies as his twin staggers away and quickly tries to stand. Mikael looks at Samael, now a good few feet away, with a distraught expression of suspicion. Samael’s leaping away was a bit dramatic but understood seeing his face for the first time must’ve also been a shock to Mikael. They really are stunning!
“So he can move! I was beginning to think mobility was not among your assets dear brother.” Samael exclaimed in glee as he rose from his knees as well(far more gracefully than the other he might add).
It was a good thing too! Samael truly did mean it when he thought about what a waste it would’ve been to be stuck bowing in the tower for all of time. In a single room of the tower, even.
“Of course, I can move-” Came Mikael’s sour response, but Samael couldn’t tap his excitement a moment longer and cut the other short.
“And isn’t that amazing!? Isn’t it absolutely novel?” Samael felt he was shouting with how much conviction and overall joy he put into the words, hoping to share it with Mikael as the other angel was sure to be experiencing something akin to him. But Mikael’s face went from scrunched and furrowed, to now simply furrowed, but with confusion instead of scorn. Samael huffed but quickly moved on to just show Mikael. He began viciously shaking his arm. “See? Look at that! It’s me! I’m doing that!”
“Okay… But, why are you doing that?” Mikael questioned, tone somewhere between exasperated and dubious. Samael’s response came quickly, and without thought.
“Because I can, Mikael! I’m able, and so are you! And don’t you agree that that is simply inspiring?” Samael stopped looking at his own arm that he was gawking at and turned his bright, intense eyes on Mikael. Samael’s smile only gets wider at his twin’s quiet, mumbled stutter of affirmation.
“Mikael, brother! How do you feel?” Samael asks with a glint in his eyes, Mikael flounders for a moment before getting a hold of himself and giving Samael a look of confusion that morphs into skepticism.
“How do I feel?” Mikael repeats the question with an irritable air.
Samael doesn’t waver, even as Mikael’s eyes start to bore into him like he’s looking for something. The room around them starts to push a chill through Samael’s bones that causes goosebumps to scatter his skin, he feels his mouth dry and the back of his throat clog by the means of some outer source. Even still, Samael responds cheerfully, if only a bit distracted by his examination of his newly textured arm, now covered with small bumps.
“Yes. How do you feel? Because I feel great! Even though we’ve been created already knowing, everything still feels new. Aren’t you happy to be here?” At the last question, Samael looked up from his arm to look expectantly at Mikael.
Mikael’s brow furrowed. Samael’s smile wilted at the lack of his twin's enthusiasm. But it didn't last long as Samael immediately brightened up again as he thought about how he’d go about changing that. Mikael deserved to be just as happy as he was right now, and Samael would do all he could to make that happen! Amidst Samael’s musings, he caught as Mikael murmured,
“...you feel great?” It didn’t feel like it was meant to be a question for Samael, but he responded anyway.
“Of course! How else would I feel? I’m alive, aren’t I?” Samael chimed, Mikael nodded mindlessly at this, seeming to be puzzling something together. What he felt the need to figure out? Samael hadn’t the slightest. But he was glad Mikael understood.
Just as Samael was about to start asking more questions, Mikael instead asked one of his own.
“Samael, I have a basic understanding of your purpose- but I’m still confused as to what that entails.”
Samael tilts his head at Mikael, so Mikael asks more bluntly.
“What is your purpose? Why were you created, Samael?”
Samael frowns and contemplates this for a moment. He was obviously created because Mother and Father wanted him, but he felt that that wasn’t what Mikael meant. At first, he assumed Mikael meant his rank and job, but as the two halves making up the demiurge his and Mikael's rank and job were the same, and so Samael thought Mikael would naturally already know that information. Just as their other obvious 'purpose' is the same. The same as Amenadiel’s and all the other angels. To be God and Goddess’s child. To give and receive love as a family. He thinks about it a bit more deeply, not noticing Mikael’s darkening expression, before he finally has an ‘aha!’ moment. Maybe what Father meant by both him and Mikael having a purpose that they’ve been built already with an understanding of, he meant besides the obvious. Samael knows he’s supposed to help his brothers and sisters, help his Mother and Father, he knows he’s supposed to destress them if things become complicated. Though he feels that that is just what family is for… but maybe his ‘purpose’ is to simply make sure nobody strays and is left alone as the family grows. He nods enthusiastically to himself.
“To make everyone happy.” He delivers with a confident smile. Mikael is somewhat thrown back, and Samael faintly hears his twin ask for elaboration- but Samael has already found interest elsewhere.
Samael caught sight of the balcony and couldn’t help but run to the edge, careening himself over as he looked down at the city and then around in awe at all the floating islands and buildings. He hears the flutter of Mikael’s wings next to him as his twin looks around quickly with a serious countenance. Samael points at a flying heavenly beast and shouts with airy mystification for Mikael to look. Mikael squints his eyes, looking at the beast with an alarmed and intense gaze. After a few seconds of scrutinizing it, Mikael questions Samael.
“It just looks like a heavenly beast.” Mikael’s gaze doesn’t stray from it, but not for the same reasons Samael can’t look away.
“I know! Isn’t it so majestic!” Samael says in awe. Mikael looks over at Samael with confusion.
“Yes. I guess so. Lord Father made it to be, after all.” Samael nods emphatically, not at all paying mind to his brother's stilted tone. Mikael contemplates Samael for a moment before shaking his head.
“I don’t know what it is you’re meant to do, but I guess as long as you do it it doesn’t matter. But I am not going to waste any more time with… this.” He gestures towards Samael. “I have work to do.”
Samael nods in understanding, his gaze still fixed on the overview of Silver City before he turns his eager eyes on Mikael.
“Yes. You’re right. We’ve so much work to do, don’t we? I should get started just as well!” Samael claps his hands together with a grin, Mikael gives him a silent nod accompanied by a strange expression. Samael thinks nothing of it and gives Mikael a bright, eye-squinting smile.
Mikael squints at Samael in return, but his isn’t accompanied by any jovial display. Mikael shakes his head again, then spreads his wings and blips away.
Samael looks down at the streets again, and then up at the dark blotchy sky. He smiles playfully as he backs up and starts running to the balcony as fast as he can. He jumps into the sky and spreads his wings. They light the entirety of the area he’s in and cast him in a golden halo. He flies as fast as he can, spinning and looping, letting himself fall before flying back up right before impact. He’s coursing with adrenaline, laughing as he dances across the sky. Samael’s wings flap, his feathers lifting for only a moment before being pasted back against his wing's humerus by the pressure of the wind. He glides through the air, covering vast distances within the blink of an eye, his smile stretches wide on his face- a little because of how his current speed distorts his skin, but mostly because of the euphoria pumping through his blood.
He spins himself in the air, stunting his momentum but he doesn’t care, Samael just laughs as the Heaven’s morph around him into a blur of glittering silver, white, and black hues. He giggles and awes at the swirling shapes, and even the nausea is pleasant to him in his current elatement. He finally stops his spinning and allows for his eyes to catch up with his movements, his smile returns to a softer, but still bright expression as he squints his eyes and grabs at his dizzy head. Still hovering hundreds of feet in Heaven’s dark sky, Samael combs a hand through his now whipped and unruly hair to get it out of his face and look more fully at the place he’ll now call home.
It really is beautiful.
He’s learning that his Father is quite the craftsman in making pretty things, he was wondering if the reason he’d made him and Mikael look the same was because he was so proud of Samael’s face that he thought no reason to make a different one. But looking at the now distant tower, the soft cloud-covered plane that stretches for miles with the occasional intricately patterned road, the perfectly spaced buildings and floating islands that glowed in silver lightfall. He knew he was no fluke in his Father’s creation. Samael was about to go explore one of the floating islands with a lightfall when something in the distance caught his eye.
Wide ashen wings blotted on the pristine glow of the wispy clouds of Heaven’s base, attached was a burly built angel in a grey robe with dark, shining skin. Samael had never met him, but he knew who he was. Samael smiled brightly, making a 180 from the island, and instead rushed towards the unassuming Arch angel with twice renewed excitement now presented with the chance to meet another sibling.
~0~
The third sector is clear, the barriers intact.
Amongst the bare plane of cloud wisps that glow in soft, white halation a lone angel perches himself low to the ground- his gaze serious as it flickers from side to side before relaxing as he nods to himself and straightens his poster.
No signs of fading or external interference.
This angel, known as Amenadiel, has been given the important task of surveilling the borders between realms by the Almighty. Since the invasion the Almighty has risen a new structure to the universe, creating a layered system to properly protect the Almighty’s most prized Creation; the Mortal Plane. Though Amenadiel agreed that expanding the Heavenly Plane to fully enclose the Mortal Plane did provide good defensive measures, he knew the level of defense would be greatly affected by the lack of proper personnel. Knowing this, Amenadiel moved tirelessly to keep even his rudimentary observation of the planes up to date, even still he knew he was lacking.
Over 70 percent of the Almighty’s creation was wiped out in the attack, Amenadiel, being God’s strongest warrior, played a vital part in the survival of that remaining 30 percent. Amenadiel was proud of his might, but the losses were devastating. 2,081 angels, culled down to 59. 58 commons and one Arch. Their numbers were hardly enough to guard Silver City, let alone the combined entirety of both the Heavenly and Mortal planes. But the Almighty’s orders were absolute, so for the last 56 years Amenadiel has diligently patrolled the borders and kept a strict schedule for the common’s patrolling the adjacent sectors.
Productivity in the Mortal Plane has plummeted, but that can’t be helped. Protecting what remains is their first priority.
Amenadiel continued his patrol on foot as he came closer to connecting sectors, knowing that the first signs of damage would appear there if there was to be another attack. But as Amenadiel walked he felt a slight buzzing on the back of his neck, the air almost felt distorted in a way. He focused his senses and he heard the faint sound of forcefully parting winds. Something was coming at him from behind, and it was coming fast.
Amenadiel wasted no time in his response, immediately blipping several feet away from his current position and flying at his target the moment he spotted it. He swoops his wings at his target's legs, the force and momentum cause his pursuer to flip in the air. Not giving the unknown a chance to respond, Amenadiel steels his wings and slams the airborne entity into the ground. Even with the cloudy plane's natural softness the unknown lets out an oof at the impact. It starts making small movements in attempts to right itself but Amenadiel is on the potential threat in an instant, one foot placed heavily on its chest with one wing’s sharpened primaries ready at its throat.
~0~
One moment Samael was making his way toward his brother with excited impatience, the next the ashen angel disappeared from his sight. Samael hadn’t a moment to even be confused before something quick and heavy whipped at his shin’s in an upward motion. The sharp sting didn’t have time to register as the force of the strike caused Samael’s legs to go over his head, instead of fighting it Samael went with the momentum and flew in the opposite direction he was initially going, now with his back towards the ground.
As he was slowing his speed Samael caught a glance of a dark figure in motion, he smiled, opening his mouth to say something before the air was forced from his lungs as two wings slammed against his midsection. At this point he was only about 20 feet in the air, so Samael wasn’t surprised when the impact resulted in his body smacking against the ground. He winced at the pain that shot through his back and wanted to curl into himself to hold his aching midsection. Just as he was moving to do exactly that a cold sharpness appeared at his neck accompanied by a heavy weight crushing against his chest, he couldn’t help but look up at the force's source.
There he is! Samael’s eyes shone as he made eye contact with the burly, dark angel who couldn’t have been anyone but a fellow Archangel, but more importantly, his eldest brother- Amenadiel! Samael was so giddy he practically shook under Amenadiel’s foot, smiling brightly up at him in awe of his brother’s obvious strength and agility.
“Hello, brother!” Samael greeted enthusiastically, only needing a brief amount of time to catch his breath from being so violently flung around.
Amenadiel’s expression hardly changed, his wing remained at Samael’s throat and his foot still kept Samael against the ground- which Samael hadn’t even thought to consider before he saw the flash of confusion behind Amenadiel’s eyes before the Archangel quickly covered it with a serious expression meant to intimidate. Which, at least to Samael, it did not.
“Who do you serve, and what are your aims?” Amenadiel’s voice was hard with the air of someone used to giving commands.
Samael finally felt his position sink in and his expression shifted into an Oh of understanding. Amenadiel doesn’t know who he is and has assumed he was some sort of enemy. Probably an Ingressor. Samael smiled again as he introduced himself properly.
“I’m Samael, I was created by Father not too long ago. I ‘serve’ him and Mother as their child and you along with the rest of our siblings as a brother. Most currently my aim is to meet you and get to know you.” Samael was happy to explain himself to Amenadiel, but the ache in his back and stomach made him wonder why Father hadn’t let his sibling know ahead of time that he’d be getting a new set of brothers and what to expect.
Amenadiel contemplated Samael for another short moment before retracting his wing from his throat and stepping off his chest. He stepped a short length away but still studied Samael with close attention.
Samael immediately boosted himself to his feet and closed the small distance Amenadiel put between them, ignoring the way the darker angle tensed and glared at him.
“Wow! You’re just as I knew you’d be! Your wings are a different color than both mine and Mikael’s- though they resemble Mikael’s more if I had to compare. Of course, I think mine are the finest amongst the three of us, but that doesn’t make yours any less magnificent-!”
Samael crowded into Amenadiel’s space, eyes gleaming as he spoke. He reached out to touch Amenadiel’s wings, but before the tips of his fingers could even graze the dusted silver primaries that looked oh-so-soft, a firm grip snatched at his wrist.
“Oh.” Samael looks at his captured wrist in surprise, as he didn’t even see Amenadiel move- before his expression quickly shifts to amazement. He connects his bright eyes to Amenadiel. “You’re so quick! I noticed this before, too- but you’re quite agile for your size, no? I couldn’t even follow your movements!”
Amenadiel’s lips formed into a line and the sharpness he watched Samael’s approach with faded as he determined the other angel didn’t seem to intend harm. He was still confused by this ‘Samael’, but let go of his wrist.
Samael, of course, didn’t catch Amenadiel’s shift and didn’t even acknowledge his wrist being grabbed or its release. Instead, he continued to ogle and praise Amenadiel’s abilities, now bouncing around his newly acquainted brother in circles.
“And as your looks suggest, you’re strong too! I can still feel your wings against my gut. Honestly, I’d prefer if next time you went easy on me brother.” Samael said this, but he was all friendly and smiles. Amenadiel let a smile of his own show.
“Yes. I am the first angel to have been created by the Almighty as well as the strongest. I alone was capable of quelling the Ingressors that breached the barrier.” Amenadiel felt a small swell of pride as Samael’s eyes shone with awe, he looked at this being with a grin and a bit of softness that managed to creep into his eyes.
“You’re truly amazing, brother! You must tell me all about your battles and show me how you did that swoopy thing earlier that flung me around so easily.”
“Of course.” Amenadiel nods and agrees, caught up in Samael’s excitement and praise. He soon catches himself though on how little he actually knows regarding Samael and schools his features as he asks a few things that were on his mind. “Before anything, I have some questions.”
“Ooo, for me?” Samael’s eyes widened and he pointed at himself with both hands, he smiled “Ask me anything!”
Amenadiel’s features relaxed slightly but he remained stoic and nodded, “First of all, it seems you have a set of vocabulary I am not familiar with. You have referred to yourself as a ‘brother’ to me and claimed it as a role of service. Yet you have also referred to me as your brother. You say you were created by ‘Father’, but the only creator in the barrier is the Almighty Lord of Creation, God. So unless the Almighty has doth’d a new title I am unaware of, you have somehow breached the barriers and are an unwelcomed entity here.” Amenadiel’s eyes hardened as he scrutinized Samael.
But Samael couldn’t help but look at Amenadiel in confusion, and then shock. Wait. It couldn’t be! Does Amenadiel really know nothing of family? I have to right this immediately!
“Amenadiel, what does the phrase ‘family’ mean to you?”
“I’ve never heard it. Since you know me by my name, that takes away the possibility that you’ve mistaken me for someone else…” Amenadiel’s eyes narrow in thought, but Samael needs to keep the trajectory of this conversation on the right path!
Samael brightens with understanding, now he knows why Mikael was confused- Samael’s purpose isn’t simply to be family, but to show and teach the siblings before him what family is! He’s happy to receive such an important role. To Samael, his Father had always been his Father- but he knows that ‘Father’ is meant to be a title of sorts for his name is actually God- which is what Amenadiel and all creation before him would know Father as. But the being himself is still the same, and Samael has no doubts that his Father has always seen his creation with love. It’s just that now he’s put a name to that love and has created a term for their dynamics and relationship. Samael is filled with joy at the idea of being his Father’s mouthpiece for this specific relaying of information.
“Amenadiel, let me reintroduce myself in terms you’ll understand.” Amenadiel refocused his attention on Samael, who smiled brightly as he continued. “I am Samael, an Archangel of High rank who works on the internal affairs of Silver City, and in terms you may not understand I am child and son of God and Goddes and half of the demiurge. I am your equal, your brother, and your family. My home resides alongside you and the other angels, our siblings, as well as aside God our Father and Goddess our Mother.”
Amenadiel nods his head with a serious continence as he absorbs the information Samael is telling him, Samael gives him a small moment before continuing.
“Our Lord has created me with this new terminology to be regarded as fact. So we, in Silver City, now have titles aside from just our name, species, rank, and job- we now will also have familial titles upon creation. As a male creation created by God and Goddess, I am their son and child. If I were female I would be their daughter and child. You, Amenadiel, would be considered their son- and as two sons of the same parents- we are brothers.”
Samael continues to list all the terminology and answers all of Amenadiels questions with enthusiasm, just as they’ve finished going through the entirety of the family tree Amenadiel seems to have grasped the concept and would now be able to apply it to others by himself in the future. Samael looks at Amenadiel as the other angel nods to himself before making eye contact with Samael, another question ready on his tongue.
“And what is the purpose of the ‘family’?”
Samael glows at the question.
“There will be little change in your assigned tasks along with the siblings that’ll be assigned beneath you in the future, but the purpose of family is to bind us together. The titles are to remind us of our loyalty and love for Father, as well as each other.”
Amenadiel frowns at the explanation.
“I understand why we must prove loyalty to the Al- to Father. But what is this about love and loyalty for each other? How could my relationship with the common angels benefit Father?”
“It’s not that you have to prove you’re loyalty to Father, but that you being his son is the proof! Our Father loves us-” Amenadiel’s eyes go round as spheres, “and wouldn’t want us to bicker or fight. He loved us enough to create us, so the least we could do is love him and each other as well, right?”
Samael smiled brightly at Amenadiel, whose facial expression shifted erratically between a series of emotions before he landed on one of wide-eyed acceptance.
“I’ve never thought of it like that, the Almighty had always seemed like a being beyond such affections…”
Samael gave a knowing smile, “I understand why you’d overlook such a thing- our father is rather stoic! But that’s why I’m here! Misunderstand nothing, brother, for you are loved.” Samael shone his smile so infectious that Amenadiel couldn’t help but return it.
“I see.” Amenadiel was calm and spoke as even as ever, but Samael saw the glow in his brother's eyes.
Samael was sure Father would be happy to see the progress he had already made, and with a fire in his chest, Samael swore to make every denizen of Silver City’s eyes glow just as Amenadiel’s did now.