Chapter 226: TIME'S UP

*same time as the fight between Leviathan and Jegudiel*

Eligorr's mask once again cracked,

As Barachiel had managed to successfully attack.

Just as Eligorr thought that Jegudiel was hard enough,

An even challenging opponent, was ready to tear him up.

Barachiel swung his spear majestically,

And with his wings he distracted his still-dazed enemy.

With his sacred hourglass at his side,

Fighting Eligorr had been easier than he'd mind.

Time felt slower in his eyes,

But his movements were times faster in the enemy's vision.

His skilled use of his abilities made him almost formidable,

It's always the quiet one...that brings so much trouble.

Eligorr sighed in frustration,

Biting his lips, wondering what could have been the reason.

He was told that Eleazar's abilities equals that of an archangel,

And yet...why does he not act like it?

He screamed and ordered his monsters to eat Barachiel up,

As he hide behind them, which made Barachiel mock him a coward.

"It's such a disgrace, that the face of Eleazar look afraid,

It seemed that all you really want, is to be saved."

The insult made Eligorr to swiftly cast a whip-

Made of bones, that he striked in a whim.

Barachiel smiled as he jumped off and broke it in half,

While Eligorr wondered just how he was so fast.

He cannot even get close to the archangel of patience,

He had rarely given him any instance where he's open.

His face looked troubled, as the fight went on,

And his worries doubled, when he was engulfed by exhaustion.

"Seemed that you need to catch your breath,"

Barachiel said as he swung his spear to deal some damage.

The action caused Eligorr to lose his tail,

Trying to jump off, but was caught anyways.

"Your wings are next."

Barachiel threatened.

It was no bluff since after he had just mentioned those words,

He was already quickly running towards him.

The scene of the collected angel dashing to his face,

Was the scariest thing that he saw in days.

Even the serpents grew tired of being poked by his sword,

And after a while, refused to come closer.

The unwillingness to fight for him made Eligorr believed the angel was a monster.

As the angel only grins at him,

"Perhaps, it is you, that needs to surrender?"

He cannot predict what the angel would do,

But the angel could predict his.

He looked around the covered room,

And in desperation, knew he needed help in this.

He summoned another work Azazel had made.

Jacob, who arrived, already in pairs.

"I was going to help Scylla in something.

But it seemed that this fight is more possible to win.

Didn't know you'd have some trouble fighting a single archangel."

"Shut up, they were two before, so my energy have been decreased."

"Ah, is that really so?

Well, this angel seemed to be no trouble.

I can sense humans in this place.

With him protecting them, he'll never go away."

"That's right. So do what I say.

And fill this place, with nothing but yourself.

Once it's all crowded, I'll cut off his limbs,

And there'd be nothing he could do, but scream."

Barachiel's eyes widened after hearing their plan,

And quickly used his energy, to summon a thick wall.

The kids covered their ears as they kept hearing something shatter,

It felt even more unnerving, as it was followed by the demon's laughter.

Barachiel's eyes were filled with tears as he waited for Jegudiel to return,

Trying to endure the pain, as he remind himself to just hold for a little longer.

.

.

.

Soon, he could feel his vision blurring,

And despite his great desire to stay awake,

he knew none of his efforts were clearly not working.

He looked at the children, whose still visibly praying that they won't be taken,

And with the scene further hurting his soul,

He reminded himself not to be shaken.

He breathed heavily, and knew that his flames cannot make the demons stay away for longer,

And that he may die truly, for continously remaking the barrier.

He gulped as a final decision entered his mind.

If he dies, might as well take the two demons' lives.

He slashed his spear with the same skilled and jaw-dropping artistry,

Killing Jacob's clones, although he could still make one as easy.

Barachiel's body glowed, as if he was a fatal warning,

While the two demons felt suddenly alarmed,

When the angel whispered,

"I'm not the only one dying."

Eligorr gritted his teeth as the angel kept his threathening aura till his weakest,

And in annoyance, yelled at him as well.

"You are a fool! Are you truly willing to kill yourself?!"

"No, I'm trying to kill you, with the cost of myself."

Soon, Jegudiel saw a huge and blinding light from where Barachiel would be fighting.

He thought Barachiel would come out quickly, but not a movement followed next.

The worst possible scenarious came in his mind, never stopping.

As he and Dawn hurries to find him, praying he wasn't dead.

He was shaking when he went back,

And found the room in complete shacks.

He saw no remains of the demon he was fighting,

Just chunks of meat, from the monsters he was met with.

They smelled burned, everything was.

So he felt afraid, knowing how far Barachiel did to complete his task.

So he continued to looked around, still in disbelief.

When he heard the children call out, not a scratch, graze their skin.

They then pointed towards the corner, where Barachiel was laid.

His body reduced to a severely weakened state.

Dawn tried to console Jegudiel, who was already about to burst,

But even with his efforts, he did not feel better with just words.

Like a child, he screams his friend's name as he ran towards him,

Encouraging the blond angel, not to give in.

As soon as Barachiel heard his voice,

He smiled softly, as he raises his hand.

He tried to wipe the tears forming in his eyes.

"Please don't cry, for the last thing I want to see, is your smile."

The words made Jegudiel sob even more.

As he cradles his bloodied friend, and prays his eyes won't close.

When he feels his friend's grip starting to loose,

His eyes quickly looks at him,

Begging him to move.

He shakes his friend slightly,

Silently hoping that Barachiel won't die easily.

Barachiel felt even more hurt seeing the sadness he gave him,

And than for himself, he prayed Jegudiel won't be in pain.

So with his little strength left,

He thought of a way, to console his own friend.

He smiles, no regret painting his face,

So to encourage him, that he was more than happy to end this way.

Jegudiel's eyes quickly focused on his own,

Wondering, what he'll soon say.

Jegudiel gulped, as he stops his tears from dropping again,

So to not muffle, what Barachiel was about to tell.

Barachiel smiles yet again, Jegudiel loves him very much,

And the fact that he was leaving him, was the only thing that made him sad.

He took a deep breath,

And in a soft voice, said:

"Jegudiel. Patiece...is a virtue.

That is why, I...waited for you.

But I think, I've waited enough.

I...could no longer feel my legs,

Nor be of use in the next fights.

I am sorry.

But I think...it is my time."

Dawn could only watch as Jegudiel screams on the top of his lungs,

Begging Barachiel not to give up.

But when he heard his dear friend make his last request,

Jegudiel's lips curved into a smile, hoping it would satisfy his rest.

And as soon as Barachiel's wish had been fulfilled.

He closes his eyes, something Jegudiel cannot imagine.

Nothing flooded his friend's mind but happiness,

Knowing that he had succesfully saved the children.

He brieftly recalled the time when they were young themselves.

And felt quite sorry for Jegudiel, as he had broken his promise.

Still, he cannot just changed the simple fact,

That his time had come at last.

So he let go of everything else he knew,

And calmly accepted, his fate like one should do.

His body then began to glow,

And though he was reduced so slow,

Every single thing felt undescribable,

Jegudiel couldn't help but feel, like he was being stabbed, over and over.

The moment Barachiel was nothing but mere orbs.

Jegudiel stands up, eyes no longer soft.

He crumpled his fists, and opened his wings,

As he looks at Dawn.

"But those demons, will not be FORGIVEN."

Dawn froze, clearly threatened at his change of voice,

Jegudiel was clearly, different than before.

He could smell intent, he could smell bloodlust,

And he hoped, Jegudiel did not saw his face worrying so much.

"Emotions."

"Hm?"

Jegudiel looked at Dawn, confused.

"Sir. Emotions...should not be an excuse to do unlikely things.

I am just reminding you, why we are different from them.

I know that they had just recently killed your friend,

But don't let that hatred, consume your chest.

I...agree with you killing them,

But don't do it in their own methods, for they'll pay endless in hell.

They are already destroying the world we are trying to protect,

Don't let the demons, reach your own chest.

For if they did, what different are we, from the rest?"