Raphael had insisted to meet Michael in the apothecary at dawn to discuss something in private. He knew it would probably concern Gabriël. Or Joan. Or their... No. He wouldn't allow any discussion on that. As soon as he had fully recovered from using Heaven's Fire, he would go to Lago di Resia and deal with that problem himself. Even if it meant losing Gabriël's friendship forever, at least he would be safe from the darkness. That was all that mattered. 
Suddenly, Michael felt the skin underneath his wrist cuff burn. He gripped his arm. Despite having felt his rune itching for the past weeks, it had been centuries since it had last acted up like this. Why was it doing so now? Who was - wait... Gabriël!

The Lord Protector stormed out of the apothecary. He ran past Raphael further in the hallway, but ignored his call. There was no time to lose. Michael ran out of the Hospitium and leapt into the air. He stayed low, his wings cutting through the morning mist, and landed mere seconds later in front of the catacombs. 
Raphael touched down a few paces behind Michael and hurried after him, leaving the confused sentries at the open doors. They quickly descended the stone steps, but Michael abruptly stopped halfway and raised a hand to halt Raphael. The cell door lay out in the corridor, blown to pieces.
Preparing for the worst, Michael carefully advanced. When he got to the cell, it appeared to be empty. Sword in hand, Michael touched what remained of the door. It crumbled under his fingers. There was nothing left but snippets of wood. The bars had melted away. At the base, the iron was still smouldering.

"Is he in there?" Raphael came up behind Michael.

His eyes searched the other cells. Gabriël still had to be there, waiting to lure him into a trap. The guards were right upstairs, so he couldn't have gone far. Then, Michael felt a gust of wind coming from the far side of the corridor. The wall stood ajar. He groaned at his own stupidity. 

"He is using the tunnels again," he said to Raphael. "I think I know where he is going. We must hurry."

They went through the secret passage and entered the dark tunnels. Unaided by any light, the pair made their way through the maze. But the longer they ran, the more Michael felt uneasy. Something was wrong. He stopped in his tracks, making Raphael bump into him.

"Michael? What is it? Why have we stopped?"

"Something is amiss. We should have caught up to him by now. Gabriël did not have that much of a head start."

"If we linger any longer, he will!" urged Raphael, pulling Michael along by his wrist.

"No, wait." He planted his feet to keep from moving. "I... do not think he is here." 

"You believe he took another tunnel?" asked Raphael.

"I think he never even went into the tunnels."

"What? Michael, the cell was empty. The passage was left open."

"I know, but it feels too obvious. And you saw the cell door. Gabriël did not do that. He does not possess that kind of power. That thing inside of him must have taken hold of him again."

"We left the sentries at the entrance of the Catacombs. Surely they would have alarmed you if Gabriël was still there?"

A daunting memory from the past surfaced in Michael's mind. This wasn't the first time he'd been tricked like this. 

"Not if they cannot see him," he said. "We have to go back. Now!"

***

After shattering the door to his cell, Gabriël had followed LightBringer's instructions to turn invisible. He had waited at the top of the steps until the doors opened, and Michael and Raphael stormed in. Upon seeing the two Archangels, Gabriël had hesitated. A single moment only. He had quickly waved the sentiment off and snuck past the sentries.

It felt so bizarre to walk among the other angels like this. They were completely oblivious to Gabriël's presence. He took care not to bump into anyone so they wouldn't freak out, but then nearly halted when he noticed Margaret in the orchard. He wanted to speak to her, but what was he supposed to say? How could he tell her that the past she remembered was a lie? That her husband was now a demon and ruler of the Circles of Hell? That the protector she knew was the true monster in her story?
The decision was stripped from him as Gabriël noticed his invisibility wearing off. He had to get away from the Vale before anyone saw him and continued his way to the Gates. Only when he reached Peter's hut did he allow himself to take a breath. He carefully stalked around the little house, peeking around the corner to check if Peter was there. When he didn't see the old man, Gabriël took his chance and sprinted toward the border. He didn't get far, though. As if by magic, the white clouds moved up to surround him. Gabriël tried to get through, but it was like walking against a padded wall. He looked up, but there was no way out. He was trapped inside a fluffy, unyielding dome.

"It saddens me to see you like this, Gabriël."

The sudden sound of the fisherman's voice resonated clearly, and his disappointed tone shook the Archangel. He turned to find Peter standing a few feet away from him.

"I can't stay, Peter," said Gabriël. "I have to find Joan."

"I understand your reasons, my boy," said Peter. "When Joan fell, I felt another presence. I know she carries your child, so I get you want to go to her. Your actions are what I disapprove of."

"Peter, please don't try to stop me."

"I won't, but may I offer you a last piece of advice? Do not forget who you are, Gabriël. Do not forget what you are. You are going down a path of darkness. Be sure you do not lose your light."

"I fear I already have..."

The Archangel showed Peter the rune on his arm. The right bottom corner was gone. As if it had never existed. Peter gasped in dismay, his expression aghast.

"Oh, what have you done?"

Gabriël lowered his arm. It pained him to see the look on Peter's face.

"What I had to," he said. "I have to protect her, Peter."

"By giving in to whatever or whoever is whispering inside your head? What do you think Joan would say if she saw you now?"

Gabriël cast his eyes down at the harsh tone of Peter's voice. From the moment he bound himself to LightBringer, he felt like a traitor. This confrontation with a kind soul such as Peter only affirmed that he was a traitor.

"She... She would understand," he stammered.

"Would she?" questioned Peter. 

"I'm doing this for her!" exclaimed Gabriël." To save her! To save our child!"

"The end doesn't always justify the means!"

Gabriël clenched his fist. He didn't have time for this. Michael had probably already understood he led him on a wild goose chase. He had to leave right now.

"I'm sorry, Peter. I truly am. But I won't let anyone harm her. If there is a price to pay for that, I will gladly pay it." Gabriël turned away.

"And what if that price is Joan? In your attempt to save her, you might just lose her forever."

Gabriël's heart tightened with fear at the remark. He knew Peter was right, but what choice did he have? LightBringer vowed he would protect Joan, which was more than anyone in the Vale had done. If he couldn't be with her and their baby because of the oath he made to the demon, that was his burden to bear, and his alone. At least his family would be safe. 

"I've made my choice."

He took a step toward the barrier of clouds. Something rustled behind him. Alerted by the sound, Gabriël glanced back. Too late, he saw a fisherman's net falling on top of him. Heaven's Fire burned into his skin the moment the mesh touched him. He cried out and dropped to the ground, the weight and agony pinning him down. Grunting, he looked up at Peter. 

"Forgive me, Gabriël," said the Keeper of the Gates, "but I can't allow you to leave after all."

***

Michael and Raphael hastened back to the entrance of the catacombs. They questioned the sentries, but nobody had seen Gabriël. It only confirmed what Michael feared; the darkness had taken control and was working through Gabriël. He could be anywhere by now.

"I was a fool." Michael gritted his teeth and fell back against the wall of the mausoleum. "How could I not have seen through his deception?"

"Don't blame yourself," said Raphael. "Gabriël is a brilliant tactician, even without this demon helping him. He would've found a way out eventually."

At that moment, a piece of paper fell at their feet. Raphael picked it up and unfolded it.

"A message from the guards at the Gates," he said. "Peter has hidden himself within the clouds. Odd. Why would he do that?"

"Whatever the reason, I should go see. You search here for Ga - argh!"

Michael grasped his arm as the burning sensation he'd been trying so hard to suppress made his knees buckle. He steadied himself and hastily removed his wrist cuff. A rune glowing like ember stared up at him. 

Dear God in Heaven, no!

"What is that?" Raphael gripped Michael's wrist to examine him. "What's happening?"

"A... An Archangel is in pain," answered Michael, biting through the burning sting. "My rune warns me when one of you is hurt. You all have a distinct aura, so I can tell you apart."

"What? But then... Michael, have you always felt Gabriël's pain? Everything he's been through since he was attacked?"

"Not everything. Only when he was in physical pain. But I felt it earlier in the Hospitium as well."

"Do you know where he is now?"

Michael nodded.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go."

***

Gabriël struggled against the net, but this only made the restraints tighten around him. Little blue flames licked his body, engulfing him in their holy radiance. 

"Peter! Let me go!" he yelled. "You don't know what you're doing! Please, I have to leave! I have to get to her! Peter!"

Suddenly, a light shone from above him. Two winged figures descended through the opening in the clouds. Gabriël ceased his attempts to get free and sneered at Michael and Raphael when they landed in front of him. 

"Ah, good, you're here," said Peter. "I was hoping the guards sent you a message once they noticed I'd gone."

"They did," replied Michael. "But my rune also warned me. You have done well in keeping him here, Peter. Thank you."

He looked down at Gabriël. There wasn't a word in existence that described how much he hated the Lord Protector right now. Seeing Michael recoil when he noticed the fading tattoo on his arm felt good. Really good. 

"Gabriel, what have you done?" 

"The only thing I could do," Gabriël spat back at him. "I've accepted help elsewhere when none was offered here."

"No... No, I will not allow this demon to control you any longer! It is not too late. We can still -"

"There's no we, Michael! I don't love you; I love Joan! You are just too blind to see that my actions are my own! Just like before, with him!"

Gabriël watched his harsh words shatter Michael as the other Archangel gasped, a most devastating expression on his face. Had he not learned the ugly truth about his friend, Gabriël would have felt guilty for having uttered them. 

"Why are you saying these things?" Michael's voice broke. "Why would you -?"

"I will not let you kill my child just like you did LightBringer's!"

Michael's eyes widened in dismay. He staggered back, nearly losing his balance, and shook his head.

"LightBringer's... child?" Raphael looked from Gabriël to Michael, and then back to Gabriël. "What are you talking about?"

"Michael's been lying to us for years, Rafe," Gabriël said. "Archangels have the gift of giving life if they find love. It's how Joan got pregnant when she was in the Vale. It's how LightBringer conceived a child with Marina, even though she was barren. But Michael made sure their baby was never born. I doubt she even remembers any of it."

The physician rounded on Michael, his eyes questioning the Lord Protector. When Michael remained silent, Raphael grasped him roughly by his shoulders and shook him.

"It's not true! Tell me it's not true, Michael!"

"It... was the only way," Michael said faintly.

Raphael let him go, his face ashen and twisted with revulsion. Gabriël beheld the scene silently. His conscience reprimanded him for speaking of this in front of Raphael and Peter (the old man had said nothing so far). But another voice spoke louder.

"Gabriël, use your wings."

What? No, there's Heaven's Fire woven into the net. My vow to you and the powers you gave me were enough to darken me. If I use my wings, they'll burn.

"They won't," Gabriël heard LightBringer say in his mind. "I've helped you this far. You know that everything I have told you is true. Why would I lie and endanger you now? Trust in me."

The Archangel felt a power flow through him, amassing in his hidden wings. Gabriël took a leap of faith in himself and LightBringer's words and unfolded them. His sudden movement alerted the other three. They jumped back and watched as Gabriël's wings broke the net that had entrapped him. He rose to his feet, meeting their stunned expressions.

"Impossible," whispered Peter.

Michael was the first to regain his composure. He drew his sword and lunged forward. At the last moment, Gabriël moved one of his wings in front of him as a shield. The blade of Michael's sword shattered against the ivory feathers, which suddenly shimmered like diamonds. Before he could do anything else, Gabriël's wing pushed the Lord Protector back with immense force. He landed several feet away and was left dazed from the impact. Now or never.

"One day, I will ask for your forgiveness, Peter," spoke Gabriël as he turned away from them. "And yours, Raphael. But I won't let him hurt anyone else. Michael doesn't deserve our loyalty. Not after what he has done. Take this up with the other Archangels and decide what to do together. But I, for one, am done with him."

"What of your vow to Our Lord?" demanded Raphael in a vain attempt to stop him.

Gabriël didn't answer. He was still trying to convince himself that the only vow he had broken was the one he made to Michael. But now that the rune on his arm was fading away, he doubted he had chosen the right words in the oath to the Devil. He looked at Raphael and then at Peter, sadness gripping his heart.

"Take care."

With one strong beat of his wings, Gabriël flew out of the clouds and began his descent to Earth. He didn't want to look back. Didn't want to see what he was leaving behind. His life was below now. With Joan. With their baby. All he had to do was find them.

***

LightBringer had witnessed all that unfolded at Peter's fisherman's hut through Gabriël. Finally, after all these centuries, the Archangels would see Michael for who he really was. They would see he wasn't worthy of being their Lord Protector. The Heavens would crumble into chaos.
He sensed Gabriël coming with great speed. His mind had lingered on what he had done, but only for a second. The thought of being reunited with Joan had put an end to that. LightBringer prepared himself for his meeting with the Archangel. He knew that, in his heart, Gabriël was still loyal to God. But in time, that allegiance would falter, too. And if an Archangel like Gabriël could turn away from the light, so could others. Finally, he would see the Lord Protector get what he deserved.

"It won't be long now, Michael. Not long at all."

***

A baby was crying in the distance. No matter where she looked, Joan couldn't find the child. She searched desperately. With every step she took, the sound seemed further away. She had already changed direction a few times. And every time, the baby's cries had changed as well. Joan kept running in the poorly lit corridor. She stumbled, breaking her fall before hitting the soaked ground. Thick liquid stuck to her hands. The torch's flames brightened, showing her what it was - blood. She looked up, feeling her being chill from the inside at the horrid scene before her.
The Nephilim that had taken her into their home lay dead on the floor. Anne's body was pierced with arrows. Thomas lay over her, sword in hand, his chest slashed open. Olympe lay face down, her arm stretched out to Juan. In her last breath, she had tried to crawl to him. Her lover's eyes were wide open, staring into nothing. His throat had been cut so deep that he'd nearly been decapitated. Two charcoaled bodies lay further away from them. Richard and Hypatia had died in each other's arms.

A winged figure appeared in the distance. He held a baby in his arms. Blood dripped from the scabbard at his hip. Joan's rage and fury made her charge at the creature with no weapons to harm him or to defend herself with. All she wanted was to get the baby and make him pay for what he had done.
The creature rose from the ground, keeping himself out of her reach. The torchlight shone on his face. Joan stood petrified at seeing Gabriël. She wanted to shout at him, but her voice was gone. Without her wings, she couldn't fly to him either. She reached up, hoping he would take her hand. But he only had eyes for the baby in his arms - their baby.
When Gabriël's attention finally fell on her, his expression was stony. A dark mist shrouded her lover and child. Before they completely disappeared, she saw Gabriël's lips move. His words echoed around her.

"This child is not yours to keep. It is ours now."

Faint voices made their way through the darkness. Familiar voices.

"Joan, ouvre tes yeux!"

"What happened?"

"I don't know. I found her on the floor. Juan and Richard helped me bring her here. They just left to get Thomas in the Vault. Hypatia has been trying to wake her up, but nothing's working."

Gabriël's words faded away from Joan's mind.

"Joan, can you hear me? Hypatia, what can we do?"

"I have already given her an injection with a cleansing serum. I need Thomas for the incantation."

Joan heard footsteps leaving her side. She didn't want to wake up. She wanted to follow Gabriël and her baby. But the mist was too thick to penetrate. It was no use. They were both gone. Someone laughed behind her. She turned around to see the Borgia Bastard standing before her.

"The Master is waiting for you, peasant girl. He always gets what he wants."

He raised his sword. Joan dropped to her knees. What was the point of fighting back or protecting herself? If she couldn't be with Gabriël, if she couldn't be with the baby, then her life meant nothing. She had failed her duty to God. Failed the Nephilim. Everyone.

"Je ne t'ai pas appris à abandonner aussi facilement, ma fille."

Joan gasped when her mother appeared in front of her. Isabelle held out a sword to her daughter. She remembered this weapon - she had found it as a child. It had been a gift from God, back when Joan was second guessing if her existence had any meaning at all. 

"Your fight is not yet over, Joan. Crois en toi."

Borgia struck through Isabelle. Joan cried out, taking the sword from her mother's hands, and in a swift move, she cut through the demon's armour. Isabelle disappeared as the warrior fell to his knees before the Fallen Angel.

"He will still get you. It is only a matter of time."

Flames surged from Joan's sword, but they didn't harm her. The closer she held the blade to the bastard, the more pain she inflicted. His flesh melted away.

"I am Joan of Arc! I was chosen to fight your master, to fight the dark he spreads, and will never be his! Gabriël will never be his! Our child will not be his! And as long as God will allow me to fight in His name, I shall do so! Hoc est Sacramentum!"

The Borgia Bastard combusted as she pierced his heart with the sword. Joan was blown back by the sheer force of it. A bright light above her illuminated a pair of shining golden angel wings. Mesmerised by their beauty, Joan's hand stretched out to them. As her fingertips touched them, an intense sensation rolled through her. The lost and defeated feeling she'd felt earlier disappeared. She now felt hope. She felt...
Reborn.