CW: Kidnapping!, Michael is a heavy antagonist and angels are fucked up, slut shaming/victim blaming, mention of suicide vaguely, fear-based content and lots of tension, angst, depression, mentions to past sexual violence in Vermillion Skies, Torture, anxiety, descriptions of deceit, season 2 spoilers
A/n: Michael is quite the wad in this chapter, just as a fair warning! I will be discussing his character in my brain more in the q&a post later on, so send in your questions about the series to my inbox! Also I apologize if the formatting seems wonky or out of order...tumblr is deciding to test my patience this morning.
Music Accompaniment (Point of No Return thru No Love)
>> Though I have a Masters Degree in Psychology and clinical training in treatment for mental health, I am not your therapist. If you have experienced any form of depression or suicidal thoughts, and are in need of help, please utilize the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, NIMH helpline, or the SAMHSA helpline. <<
Series Masterlist
You can find more of this series by searching the tag #Vermillion Skies or #Melancholia on my blog!
“Are you sure that’s what you saw?” Diavolo’s eyes darted between Simeon and Belphie. He wanted desperately for their concerns to just be baseless anxiety, but the grim look on Luke’s face made his heart sink deeper into his stomach. The phone call he had received from Lucifer hours prior was alarming, but he figured the sounds of shuffling and distant grunts meant he had just pocket dialed him. He never would have expected mc and Lucifer to end up missing, and in the brutish hands of the Archangels, no less. After what he had seen Simeon go through, he only hoped that they could get to them before its too late.
“I’m almost 100% certain that Michael has taken both of them.” Simeon clenched his fists, fighting back his demon form. “I don’t know what he’s planning, but it will surely be nothing good.”
Diavolo’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I see...”
Luke squeezed his eyes shut to prevent himself from crying. His grip on Simeon’s sleeve tightened as he tried to make himself calm down. How could this be happening? Michael was a good angel; a merciful angel. This had to have been some sort of mistake!
There was a moment of silence as the brothers looked amongst eachother with uncertainty.
“Well...ain’t we gonna do somethin’ ‘bout this?!” Mammon finally asked, giving a pointed look to Diavolo and Barbatos. "We should be stormin' that fuckin' palace and destroying everythin' in sight!"
A tense sigh passed through Diavolo’s lips as he massaged the slight headache developing at his brow line. “Mammon, it’s not that simple. We have no idea where they’re being held, or why. We have no idea what their next move will be, and we dont know what they'll do when they hear of our rescue efforts.”
“And we certainly don’t have the manpower amongst us to fight the entire celestial army, even with our combined strength.” Satan paced while rubbing his chin, trying hard to think of how they could get both Lucifer and Mc back with the least amount of bloodshed.
“I just...I d-don’t understand...” Luke shook his head, still trying to wrap his head around what was happening. “W-why would Michael do something like this?!”
The demons looked amongst each other, unsure of how to respond to the small angel’s query. They felt so much pity for him. He was really having his worldview tested more over the past 4 months than than he had in his entire life.
“Michael is obsessive.” Solomon chimed in as he entered the room, a bag of tinking glassware slung over his shoulder. “He sees Mc as a threat, and it appears as though his desire to renew the exchange program was a ploy to get our guard down so he can neutralize that threat. I only wish i would have picked up on the signs sooner.”
The remaining color left in Luke’s face drained, and he stared at Solomon, wide-eyed. “W-what..? Do...do you mean they’ll...”
Solomon locked eyes with him for a second, a glint of sadness passing through his expression. “They’re going to try to kill her, yes.”
Simeon shook his head, finding himself feeling strangely numb in this moment. "They wont just do that. They've risked too much in even kidnapping Mc.”
Everyone in the room turned to him, looks of pure terror on their faces. The fact that the situation would likely provide Mc with more trauma was enough to try to stomach already, but to run the risk of losing her again made their blood run cold. Each waited with baited breath for what Simeon had to add to suggest that it could get worse than you’re death.
Simeon sighed, avoiding their desperate eyes. “Michael had said over and over that their worst mistake he made during your fall was not ensuring Lilith had been unable to be reincarnated. To ensure that Lilith’s bloodline won’t ever be able to cause a disturbance in the celestial realm again, they are going to attempt to wipe her from existence, along with the one person who could and would stop at nothing to ensure they would never see another day of peace. The one person who, without him, would leave the Devildom vulnerable in the event of an all-out war.”
The brothers each dropped their eyes to the floor, slowly understanding what Simeon was getting at.
Not only would they kill Mc- but they were going to kill Lucifer too.
“But...But...” Luke stuttered, looking amongst the brothers. "Michael's a good angel! He couldn’t...H-he wouldn’t...”
Tears burst from Luke’s eyes, now fully unable to hold back any more. Simeon kneeled, wrapping his arms around him gently, and allowed the small angel to sob into his shoulder. Simeon glanced to Diavolo, who’s expression had become a mixture of grim anticipation, and deep anger.
“My lord, what would you suggest our next move be?” Barbatos did his best to bite his tongue, but was holding onto his sanity by a mere thread. It was bad enough that you had to be taken and threatened with death, but to have a close friend and necessary ally suffer the same punishment made the situation all the more dire. He himself wanted to charge in and swiftly decapitate any angel that crossed his path, but he knew that running in without a plan would be foolish. "If what Simeon says is true, we are already at a major disadvantage given they have been in their grasp for nearly 5 hours. We don’t have much more time left to lose.”
Before Diavolo could even respond, Beelzebub stepped forward, catching his attention. His normal flat expression was turned into an furious scowl, his muscles bulging under his shirt with all the tension he held in his body. The prince didn’t think he’d ever seen the avatar of Gluttony so angry before.
“Our next move should be getting our family back, no matter what it takes.” He stated matter-of-factly, but there was a lust for blood behind his tone that neither of the royals, nor his brothers, had ever heard from the 6th born. “I’ll annihilate their entire army by myself if I have to.”
“While I agree we should prioritize their safety before politics, we mustn’t forget that charging in without a plan only gives them the advantage.” Diavolo sighed. “Though right now, I am frankly at a loss for how to develop one that won’t just be a suicide mission.”
Beel closed his eyes, trying to refrain from snapping on the prince. He was terrified for your wellbeing, and didn't think he could handle the uncertainty of your fate for much longer. He needed you- all of his brothers did. And they needed Lucifer too. Without both of you, his family would fall apart. No one would ever be able to recover from such a loss.
Luke stared between Beelzebub and Diavolo, almost as if he couldn’t understand what they were both saying.
“First we should decide who will be doing what.” Simeon stated, now rising from his knees. He gestured toward Solomon to take Luke from him, who quickly scrambled to replace Simeon’s place as Luke’s support.
Barbatos nodded. “We should establish a rendezvous point as well, in case we get separated.”
Simeon looked to Barbatos, nodding in agreement. “I think it goes without saying that Diavolo and Luke will be staying behind.”
“What?!” Luke and Diavolo both yelled at the same time, seemingly insulted by the assertion that they would not be helping.
“Yeah, What?” Mammon added, crossing his arms. “I understand leavin’ the Chihuahua behind, but Diavolo’s got some mad strength. He could take down 10 seraphim at once without even tryin'!"
“Really, Mammon!? You’re going to call me a Chihuahua now?!” Luke wiped his tears, shooting Mammon a glare.
Barbatos interjected, ignoring Luke’s annoyance at the teasing name. “But if he is injured- or worse, killed- during battle, the Devildom will be without a leader. That’s not something we can afford. We would be susceptible to both external invasion and violent anarchy amongst the lower demons.”
“Besides, it might be helpful to have someone here to prepare a space for injuries.” Satan added, tilting his chin toward Simeon. “If his vision is right...Mc and Lucifer could be in pretty awful shape...”
Mammon winced at the idea of Mc being hurt again, not wanting to accept it as a possible reality.
Diavolo sighed. “Fine, we’ll stay back for now. But if things go south...” He gave Barbatos a deathly serious look, “...I will not hesitate to charge in there- full force.”
Luke shook his head, now pulling out of Solomon’s arms and nearly groveling to Simeon. “No! Wait, I...I could talk to Michael! I could get him to s-see reason!”
Simeon closed his eyes and sighed. “Luke, I know this is hard for you to understand, which is why it’s best if you don’t get involved.”
“But...Mc...” Luke swallowed back more tears, looking at the floor. “I...I want to help...t-to do something...”
“I know...I know.” Simeon took a deep breath to maintain the softness in his voice. He pressed both hands to Luke’s shoulder. “But the way that you can help is holding down a place for when we come back. Please Luke...this is what I need from you.”
Luke sniffled, hanging his head and nodding. “O-okay.”
Simeon gave him a firm hug, solidifying that things were going to be okay. He had experienced a loss of optimism for anything for so long. He hadn't felt the ability to cling to any sort of hope to allow him to move forward. Whether it be denial, fear, anger, or just wanting to see Mc smile one last time, the feeling allowed him to be strong enough to stand as an anchor for everyone else, and to make a plan to get them both back. He needed to be a rock for everyone else, who were near the edge of panic because the two who would normally take the lead were now indisposed.
Mc and Lucifer will be brought back alive...they had to be.
Simeon stood, resting a firm hand on Luke’s shoulder. He pointed toward the brothers, giving fervent direction of what he wanted them to do. “Beel, you will be our tank. Belphie and Satan, you’re his backup. Your job is to neutralize anyone in our way of getting to Lucifer and Mc.”
The three looked at each other and gave a single nod to signify that they understood.
“Levi, and Mammon- you two will help me and Barbatos get into the Celestial prison cells to search for Mc and Lucifer. We will need help getting past guards, and the more people we have searching rooms, the better. You'll take the east wing, and Barbatos and I will be on the west wing.”
“Got it.” Mammon nodded to Levi, winding up his shoulders to stretch the muscles. "I'll wipe the floor with any crumby angel that dares to do harm to the family of the Great Mammon!"
“Solomon- You and Asmo will take up the rear. Do what you can to ensure our portal home isn’t infiltrated and that the others have first aid in the event of an emergency. You will also be our center point of contact.”
Asmo nervously glanced to Solomon, who pressed a reaffirming hand to his shoulder. “Not a problem.”
“For the rest of us outside of Asmo and Solomon, our meet up point should be at the treeline just south of the prison.” Barbatos added, giving a nod to Simeon for thinking through the division of the groups. “If we need to change it, Solomon and Asmo will spread the message. No one should break off from their pairs. There's safety in numbers, after all.”
The group nodded amongst each other, now preparing for what they assumed was going to be an absolutely bloodbath, and the beginning of the end of peace between the realms.
“Get up.”
Lucifer groaned as the words echoed through his throbbing head. He tried to bring his awareness back- to figure out who the voice was, and where it was coming from. A swift kick to the stomach caused him to sputter, the pain pulling his consciousness back to the surface.
How long had he even been out?!
He forced his eyes open, trying to adjust to the dimly lit room he found himself in. As he tried to move his weak muscles, he found his arms restrained tightly behind his back. He looked up, trying to push his vision to convert the blurred outline into the image of the individual standing before him.
“I said: Get. UP.”
Lucifer snarled as the individual grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked him up to his knees. He gritted his teeth as his vision adjusted to the shape of the blonde angel, who’s nose was only a few inches away from his own.
“Stand, Demon.” Michael commanded, pulling on Lucifer’s hair again to make him stand.
His knees buckled beneath his weight as he tried to remain standing. Eventually he was able to keep his balance, albeit barely. He hadn’t felt this groggy since Diavolo had spiked his tea with tranquilizer a few months prior. His mind wandered briefly to you, and he was desperate to know where they were holding you. He hoped that you were safe, but given the aggressive handling that Michael and the guards were treating him with, he concluded they were probably weren’t treating you much better. Regardless, he knew he had to figure out a way out of his binds- to make sure you were safe again in his arms.
Michael snapped his fingers, signaling for two armored guards came to Lucifer’s side. They hooked their arms under his armpits and followed Michael out of the room. Lucifer swallowed hard, taking note of his surroundings. Clearly, he was in the celestial palace, but he was unsure of his specific whereabouts- that is, until he was brought before the familiar, intimidating council doors.
He narrowed his eyes, staring daggers into the back of Michael’s head. The last time he was here was when he was begging on his knees for Michael to help him to convince father to let Lilith live. An odd sense of familiarity washed over him as Michael grasped the handles on the doors. He swallowed hard, trying to bring back his cold and confident demeanor...but the fear about whether you both would make it out of this situation alive continued to sit like a rock in his stomach, making it hard to turn away from the anxiety.
Lucifer was thrown down to his knees roughly before the council. He gritted his teeth through the pain, trying to wiggle his arms our of their binds enough to where his shoulder wasn't threatening to dislocate. He took a deep breath before looking to the judging eyes of the council, but was surprised to see only two council members other than Michael who were looking at him with glares of hatred. The rest harbored a look of shock and uncertainty.
"Lucifer. It's been too long." Michael mused sarcastically with a wicked smile as he took his place amongst the council members. “I would love to say it’s good to see you, but unfortunately the mere sight of you is very unpleasant.”
Lucifer tightened his jaw, but said nothing.
Michael cocked his head at him, the smile turning into a teasing smirk. "Come now, you're not going to even give us a proper greeting?"
Lucifer hissed his retort. "Fuck you."
Raphael winced as Michael let out a sickening chuckle. He looked to the other council members, noticing Uriel and Saraquael with similar grotesque smiles. Gabriel, Raguel, and Remiel, however, shared in his discomfort, and tossed nervous glances amongst each other.
"Uh, Michael..." Gabriel nervously chimed in after a pause, trying his best to keep a smile on his face, though it was clearly weathered from nerves. "We...we shouldn't delay in discussing why you've brought Lucifer before us so suddenly, especially considering you didn't not get all of our approval before doing so."
Lucifer lifted an eyebrow as Michael's eyelid twitched. The archangel slowly tilted his head back to look at Gabriel, his intense eyes boring holes into the second in command. "Approval was not necessary. I made an executive decision for the safety of the Celestial realm."
Lucifer furrowed his brow. Safety? What was he talking about??
"When you discussed the revamping of the exchange program, I did not expect this to be your ulterior motive." Raguel shook his head in disapproval as he scratched his long, grey beard. "This isn't right, Michael. Send him home."
"And the human too." Remiel added, a furious look on her face. "I know many angels- including yourself- are wary of deceit from humans after what happened with Simeon, but we have no right to-"
"Silence!" Michael slammed his fists on the podium in front of him, breathing hard. The other council members snapped their mouths shut, not wanting to evoke Michael's fury. "Humans as a race are not the problem here. I've explained this to you thick headed fools 5 times already!"
Remiel gasped quietly, looking to Raguel and Gabriel for support. They said noting, only looked on in shock at Michael’s behavior.
Michael continued. "The problem is this particular human, and those who enable her. She should be exterminated for her sins... and Lucifer..."
He glanced to his former brother over the rim of his glasses, seeing his eyes go wide with panic at the acknowledgement that he wanted to have you killed.
He shook his head. "Lucifer is our second biggest threat if we are to get rid of her, and as such he should be imprisoned indefinitely at the very least- if not sentenced to suffer the same fate."
"Agreed." Uriel stated, without hesitation. "It took 5 injections of the strongest sedative we had to bring him down."
"Who knows what destruction he could cause with those brothers of his if we didn't include him in this." Saraqael glared at him, seemingly disgusted by his actions. "We should have executed all of them after their betrayal instead of letting them fall. The blood of their sister still runs through their veins, and the veins of that wretch of a human."
Michael nodded as Lucifer's lips upturned into a snarl. "His brothers will come for him, and prove just how much destruction they're capable of- but they're no match for our army." He turned back to Gabriel, shaking his head once more. "Mercy for blasphemous actions are what lead Simeon to fall in the first place. Are you suggesting you're fine with every angel turning a blind eye to grace and becoming demons themselves? That simply will not do!"
Gabriel gulped, glancing toward Lucifer and then back to Michael. "Demons are allowed to make their own decisions for how they run their realm. Lucifer having the freedom to love a human doesn't concern us at all, Michael. We have already agreed not to become politically invested in the Devildom beyond maintaining peace."
Raguel stood, mirroring Michael's intensity with his hands firmly on his podium. He had enough of Michael's dictator like order over the council, and unfairness in making such extreme decisions without their input. As the oldest member of the council and a man of tradition, he was insulted by Michael's apparent insolence and side-stepping of the parliament rules. "What you've done is akin to a declaration of war! We're you not able to set aside your petty jealousy of father's favoritism for one moment to think of the consequences of your bull-headed actions!?"
"Tch!" He stood and rounded the podium to the front of the room where Lucifer knelt. He paced in front of him, dark brown irises glaring down intensely at the eldest brother, completely ignoring Raguel's words. "Tell me: What would we have done if this human wasn't given the ring of light?"
“I hardly see what this has to do with anything.” Remiel muttered, sharing a nervous glance with Raguel.
“Just answer the question.” Michael demanded, glancing amongst the council. “Tell me what would have happened.”
Gabriel sighed, crossing his arms. "It was told to us by the sorcerer that her pacts with the brothers would have been revoked."
Michael let out a sickening laugh. "And you believed him?"
Gabriel was taken aback by his words. "I beg your pardon?"
"Lucifer needed to die in order to go with that route. Do you really think the demon prince, had he known, would have allowed that?"
There was a pause, before the hesitant council members slowly shook their heads.
Michael nodded, lips turning upwards into a smile. "Precisely. Now, wouldn't there be an easier option that would produce the same results? And it didn't even cross any of their minds."
The room wad quiet for a moment before Michael let out a 'tsk.'
"What they should have done was dispose of the threat. She not only holds pacts with 7 of the strongest demons at their disposal and could be considered a danger to both the Celestial Realm and the Devildom in that right, but weilding that power has made the entire fabric of the universe unstable."
Michael turned to Lucifer, crossing his arms. "Now, wouldn't such a danger to the 3 world's go directly against your precious Diavolo's plans?"
Lucifer swallowed, but remained silent.
"It would." He answered for him, turning back to the council. "And yet, his love for the human resulted in them risking the stability of not just the Devildom, but the Celestial Realm and the human world as well!"
"The solution that was arrived at was a suitable one." Raguel argued. "Providing the human with the ring of light was more than a reasonable solution, And I remember that you had hidden it from the council. Even after Simeon approached us with the option, you were still vehemently against it because of your own pride."
Michael glared at the older archangel. "And what if she were to take the ring off?"
Remiel sighed. "You saw it with your own eyes, Michael. She was terrified. Why in heavens name would she do that?"
"It doesn't matter how or why." Uriel nodded toward Michael. "His point still stands that it's a possibility, and made the option a mediocre one at best."
Raphael gripped his pants tightly in his fist. He wasn't sure who to side with at this point, and kept finding himself thinking back to Luke and the interactions he witnessed between the two of you. Raphael was still indifferent toward you, considering the bias he initially came into the Devildom with, but even a week with you was enough to sway his opinion slightly in the opposite direction.
Perhaps Michael was obsessed and blinded by anger and power, like Raguel had said to him before the meeting.
"Michael...y-you've gone mad..." Gabriel shook his head in a panic. "This isn't the way father would-"
"And how are you to know what father wants!" Michael snapped back. "I am the leader of this council, and I am the direct executor of his will!"
"Enough, Michael!" Remiel shouted, now standing. "The council was elected as a whole to execute father’s will. Cease this absurdity at once, and release these two back to Devildom! They are innocent!"
"Innocent!? Hah!" Michael laughed sarcastically at her. "Even meeting Mc in real life was enough to convince me she is anything but!"
Lucifer growled in warning, wanting desperately to tell Michael to keep your name off his lips.
Michael shook his head, feeling a shiver run through his spine as he remembered his encounter with the human. The way he felt such an unnatural pull toward her made him feel so disgraceful, and only re-affirmed his mindset on how dangerous she was. "Just the way in which she was dressed told me everything about her intentions. She’s clearly well able to use manipulation and seduction to her advantage. No wonder demons and angels alike have a difficult time controlling themselves around her- clearly she's inviting them to defile her!"
"Shut your fucking mouth!" Lucifer finally spat at him, finding himself enraged at the suggestion that your state of dress they had captured you in- that was supposed to be for his eyes only- was somehow an excuse for the trauma you suffered. His eyes bore holes into Michael's as they stared each other down. Lucifer panted, snarling at him as he wrestled with his binds, wanting to beat Michael to death right there.
"Tch." Michael narrowed his eyes. "How pitiful."
"Look, Michael..." Gabriel sighed, "despite your personal feelings on the matter, this entire situation needs further discussion, both amongst the council and with father directly. Until that is done, these two are not to be harmed, and should be returned home."
"We are not doing anything to either of them as long as there is disagreement among the council." Remiel reiterated Gabriel’s words, glaring at Michael with her emerald eyes filled with fire. "That is final."
Michael let out another sickening laugh, making the opposing council members' blood run cold. Even the two who were on his side lost the smirks they displayed through the meeting at the unsettling sound of it.
"This was not a request for any stupid debate, or a vote." He smirked toward Lucifer, who continued to glare at him. "This was just a warning to you that the wheels of retribution are already moving. Her punishment was started well before this meeting, and I saw to it personally."
"Wait...what?" Raphael finally spoke, unsure of what to make of Michael’s words. He glanced uneasily toward Uriel and Saraqael, who shared in his confusion. "Y-you said you would get the councils permission before...before-"
The color drained from Lucifer's face as Michael's smile grew. He felt his stomach churn as Michael folded his arms over his chest, staring Raguel down as the realization of what he had done sunk in to everyone in attendance.
"M-Michael... what did you do to that human?" Gabriel stuttered out, completely blindsided by Michael's descent into madness. He glanced to Lucifer, seeing the Avatar of Pride barely holding on to his emotions.
Michael stayed silent, watching the horror on their faces grow with each passing second. His wicked smile told them everything they needed to know.
CW: Torture!, physical and emotional abuse!, kidnapping!, mild sexual harassment/violence and allusion to arousal from said violence on the perpetrators end, whipping, Michael is very gross and predatory and abusive, slut shaming/victim blaming, mention of suicide vaguely, fear-based content and lots of tension, religious trauma/detailed depiction of purity culture in christianity, blood mention, violence, angst, depression, mentions to past sexual violence in Vermillion Skies, anxiety, panic attacks, descriptions of deceit, season 2 spoilers
A/n: be cautious with this chapter! As said in my Q&A, I got inspiration for Michael’s personality from Frollo from Hunchback of Notre Dame, so he’s very predatory.
Music accompaniment (Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums thru Lydia)
Tag list: @urmomondeez
>> Though I have a Masters Degree in Psychology and clinical training in treatment for mental health, I am not your therapist. If you have experienced any form of depression or suicidal thoughts, and are in need of help, please utilize the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, NIMH helpline, or the SAMHSA helpline. <<
Series Masterlist
Q&A for parts 1-10
You can find more of this series by searching the tag #Vermillion Skies or #Melancholia on my blog!
A slamming sound in the distance snaps your attention toward the small window on the door to your cell. Your senses were on high alert, eyes wide with fear of whose footsteps were clacking down the hall toward you. After experiencing numerous panic attacks and nearly losing your voice screaming for Lucifer to come help you, you had finally calmed down enough to try to think of a plan to escape your situation logically. An attempt at snapping the chains with magic was futile, and yelling through the thin barred window that lined the top of the west wall didn’t seem to do much either. You had accepted that the only way out was for someone to let you out, and for a moment you felt hopeful that maybe it was someone coming to your rescue. Though, now that the steps continue to draw nearer, you’re feeling the prickling anxiety come back, causing your limbs to tremble with anticipation of what is to come.
You weren't sure how much time had passed in your small cage. It was enough for the sun to come up and give you a teensy bit of illumation to the place you found yourself trapped in, though part of you wished it had stayed dark. The stains of blood on the concrete walls and floors, plus the plethora of bugs, made your terror spike much higher. The odd sounds you had heard when you first awoke continued, along with occasionally yells or sobs from who you assumed to be other prisoners. You still weren't sure where you were, but the small bit of the spires you could see in the window reminded you of the Celestial Palace, which you had seen on your brief visit to the Celestial Realm many months ago.
A face finally appears in the window, startling you. The individual is one you don’t recognize. It’s hard to make out her features given the window is so small, and she has a helmet covering most of her head. She locks her bright red eyes with you for a moment, before twisting a key into the lock and activating the tumbler on the door. After numerous clacks, the door unlatches, and she holds it open. At first, you think perhaps she is letting you go, but the thought is squashed when a familiar blonde-haired man steps through the door. He stares directly at you, and you feel your body immediately tense under his stare.
You begin to feel way too hot, and beads of sweat begin to form on your clammy skin as the man saunters over to you, his dark brown eyes flaring with intensity in the dim sun light that now shown from the thin glimpse your cell had to the outside. Following quickly behind him was the red-eyed angel who was dressed in silver and blue armor, and two other angels dressed similarly.
“So...we finally meet.” Michael smiled at you, but behind it was a terse hatred that showed plainly on his face. His eyes scour your body, taking in the state of dress you were in and trying to ignore his surprise at how attractive he found you to be. “Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Michael, revered leader of the Celestial Council and second in command underneath the Heavenly Father.”
You nod once, not knowing what to say in response. He raises his eyebrow expectantly, and it’s now that you realize he is wanting you to introduce yourself to him.
“Uh...I-I’m Mc...” You mutter out. “I’m the Human Ambassador to the Devildom.”
“Within Diavolo’s Royal Court, I presume?” He raises a brow, not realizing that you held an actual title within the Devildom political system. He curses himself internally, now realizing that kidnapping someone from under Diavolo’s royal protection would potentially result in the House of Lords declaring War on the Celestial realm.
You nod hesitantly, trying to place an emotion to the scrunched look on his face.
“Hmm. I see...” he paused, now beginning to pace the floor in front of you. “Well, I wish I could have been acquainted with you earlier, under different circumstances, but the trouble you have caused has required me to resort to extreme measures.”
You swallow hard, not liking the vagueness in his words. “T-trouble?”
He hummed in confirmation, pacing toward the window. “Tell me- for how long did you think you could keep getting away with your sinful actions?”
“w--what?” You stutter out the words breathlessly, unsure of what to make of such an accusation. You had no idea what he was even talking about, and the language he used gave you no insight into why he had you chained up in this dank, smelly room. When he doesn’t reply right away, you gulp back your fear, deciding to prod further, but your voice was meek and timid. “I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand-”
Michael’s tense and nefarious-sounding laugh, followed by the clear tightening of his fists sent alarm bells ringing through your mind. You clamped your mouth shut as he turned to look at you, the intensity of his eyes now twice that of when he had entered the room. You scoot back an inch, pressing your body into the wall as he approaches, squatting down so that he was eye-level with you.
“Your manipulative tricks won’t work on me, harlot.” He hissed searching your fear-stricken expression for some clues into your weaknesses. He glanced down from your face, noticing the way your arms and legs were tightly bound to your body, trying to hide as much as you could from him. He made note of the scars that littered your collar and parts of your exposed chest that he could see, trying to soak in as much detail as he could get from just observing you.
You feel your body begin to tense even more than it already was under his judgmental stare and critical words, not liking how uncomfortable you felt under his prying gaze. The almost transparent half buttoned sleep shirt that hung low on your chest, along with the thin lacey underwear that was barely hidden by the hem of the shirt left you feeling very exposed. Your intention was to show off the set gifted to you by Lucifer for your engagement, since he was very smitten with how you looked in it. Had you known that you would be swiftly snatched up from your bed in the cover of night- presumably under the order of this strange man- you would have worn something more modest. The lingerie was never meant for the eyes of anyone but your lover, yet here you were, seemingly being undressed in the mind of the angel who squatted before you.
Michael shook his head standing back up to pace after feeling his brain start to stir with delinquent thoughts related to the curvature of your body. “Tch. It’s no wonder Simeon had difficulty controlling his purity around you. Such a teasing display you give, hm? Like a piece of fresh meat dangled in front of a tiger.”
Your eyes widen as you sit with his disgusting words, closing yourself off tighter from view. You try to speak to him, to tell him he’s misjudging you- but your voice merely comes out in a squeak.
“Come now, enough with this demure charade.” He hisses, staring down upon you with frustration. “I want you to try to justify to me why you have turned one of our own to the life of sin. Does it simply run in your blood, given your blood association to that other traitorous wretch? Or are you simply a Sadist- desiring to ruin the purity of those around you? Even having enough skill to seduce Demons back to instinctual depravity after sophistication has become their norm truly is impressive.”
“I...I haven’t done anything...” You whisper, feeling tears begin to well behind your eyes. “I didn’t seduce anyone...I-”
A swift backhand from Michael cuts you off. You shriek as his hand connects with your cheek, the stinging from the large ring on his fourth finger causes tears to escape from your eyes. How sudden his demeanor changed from calm to irate scared the hell out of you.
Michael scowls at the sight of you crying from what he believes is such a simple form of discipline. His voice is raised and wavered in frustration. “The question was rhetorical, Human. You speak when I ask for a direct answer, and you will address me as “sir.” I am owed that much respect. Is that clear?”
You hesitate before giving a quick nod, now refusing to look at him.
“I’m sorry, but I believe I asked for a direct answer this time, wench.” He hisses, clenching and unclenching his fist as if to loosen his knuckles for another strike.
A shudder runs down your spine and you nod more rapidly this time, trying to make your voice louder than a mere whisper. “Y-yes...s-sir.”
He smirks evilly at you. “Good girl.”
You could nearly gag at the way he had just referred to you, the events of your previous trauma bubbling to the surface as you wondered what he was going to do to you. You watched his unmoving feet from your peripherals, silently shifting between calling to someone to save you from this place and convincing yourself that it was all a horrible dream.
“Now then...” Michael stands, clasping his hands behind his back and returning to his pacing movements. “I expect you to answer my questions truthfully, and in full. First, Why is it that you’ve chosen to stay in the Devildom rather than return to your home- that of the human world?”
“U-uh...” You pause taking a shaky breath. “The human world wasn’t very good for me...and I found a family that I love and care about in the Devildom.”
“Why- pray tell- would you place trust in some random demons enough to refer to them as family?” He questions, gazing at you over the rim of his glasses.
“They showed me kindness, and genuine compassion.” You state matter of factly, not liking that he was questioning the structure of your relationships with the brothers. “I had limited experiences of that with other humans.”
“Had you even attempted to seek it out?”
“What?” you blink back your confusion.
“Are you deaf?” He hisses, pausing his pacing in front of you, now crossing his arms over his chest. “I asked if you had even attempted to seek such relationships elsewhere.”
You pause, thinking back to your early family and friends during childhood. “A couple times, yes...uh, sir...”
“So, If I may summarize.” He clears his throat, waving his hand as he spoke. “You had become entangled with demons beyond that of mere acquaintanceship, going so far as to undress before and betroth yourself to one, because your few attempts at connecting with other humans proved fruitless. So, instead of persevering through hardship, like God intended you to to, you gave up, betrayed and abandoned your people, and sought comfort in those who live lives filled to the brim with sin and stripped yourself of a morally pure path, one that would lead your bloodline to forgiveness and mercy. Is that correct?”
“What??” You shake your head in frustration, the amount of assumptions he was making on how you had come to find the demon brothers as part of your family, and how demons actually are in real life. “T-that’s not it at all! You think you can just assume these things about me!?”
Michael snapped his attention down as your voice came out in an annoyed retort to what he had said. He quickly snapped his fingers, and the two male guards yank you to your feet by your arms. Your heart pounds in your chest and your breathing begins to turn ragged as their grips tighten against you, holding you firmly in place as Michael leans in. His shallow breath is hot against your already too-warm face, the intoxicatingly-sweet scent of it overwhelming your olfactory senses. You try to turn your head away, but he grips your chin tightly in his gloved hand, forcing your eyes back to meet his.
“I thought I told you to address me with respect.” He hisses, pressing his thumb and index finger tighter into your jaw. He was infuriated by your response, but he couldn't fight the nagging thought in his head that your boldness in challenging him was endearing. Something about you was striking his emotions in a way he didn't expect. His heart pounded and he felt his loins stir with excitement. It was a confusing feeling, and he was enraged by the fact that it was happening.
He shakes his thoughts away and continues, the grip on your jaw never wavering. “I believe your insolent denial is proof enough of your wrong doing. Association amongst humans and demons is bad enough, as is becoming chummy with one. That sinful sorcerer has clearly also been an influence on your attitude toward them, and clearly has lead you further to depravity by spreading your legs for them. May I remind you, that coitus outside of your species is forbidden? But no. You did not stop there. You also have set to cross established peace sanctions, and marry one. Absolutely Deplorable. You have the audacity to say that I don’t know what I’m talking about? You may have me mistaken for a fool, Mc. And I assure you, that is a grave error in judgement.”
He finally drops your chin, shaking his head and tutting. He turns from you for a moment, clasping his hands behind his back as he mulls over his plans. He cursed himself for not being able to treat you more harshly. He anticipated you being easy to torture, but the more he was exposed to you, the more he was curious to know more about you. Perhaps it was the same power you had used on Simeon and the others...or perhaps it wasn't. Regardless of the reasoning, something about you made him want to make you his.
He pauses for a moment, deciding to change tactics. He sticks his hand in his jacket pocket, fishing around for something. You watch with baited breath, terrified for what was to come.
Finally, Michael turns. In his hand, he hold a small vial. It glows a bright, shimmering gold as he displays it between his thumb and forefinger for you. Your look at him in confusion, but your anxiety rises higher as you hear the soft gasps from the guards who held you still in their grasp.
“Sir Michael,” The woman who stands by the door sounds uneasy as she takes a step forward. “Are...are you sure about this?”
Michael snaps his attention toward her, his eyelid twitching in annoyance. His voice was hoarse through labored breaths and deep anger. “Are you questioning a superior officer, Dina?”
She pauses, glancing between you and the vial. A sympathetic look passes her eyes as she finally sighs. “N-no sir. My apologies for speaking out of turn.”
“Very good, then.” Michael turns back to you, a wicked smile appearing on his lips. He approaches slowly, and the reactions of the guards have you even more worried than before. You squirm in their hold, trying to desperately maneuver out of their arms.
"Now, Mc." His voice returns to a casual soft tone, though there is coldness behind it. "We could have forgiven your sinful actions if it weren't for two things. One of which is Simeon's corruption, which you are solely responsible for."
You flinch as he reaches for a strand of your hair, turning it over in his fingers. His eyes never leave your face, as if studying your every reaction to his touch.
"Second to that though, is your power." He smirks, dropping your hair and now running his hand down your neck. He continues down your collarbone, stopping just above your breast, where the dull scar-like outline of Lucifer's pact sits. "Initially, my plan was to just kill you- rid the world of the problem that had been unintentionally created by offering Lilith mercy."
You swallow hard, but remain silent. He leans into to your neck, his breath tickling your earlobe. You squeeze your eyes shut, heartbeat pounding in your ears.
He takes a breath in, inhaling your scent slowly. A shudder snaked its way down his back as he moves his hand up to cup your opposite cheek. He stroked the skin gently with his thumb, his breathing shaky on the outbreath. "However...It appears that I have changed my mind after finally being able to... observe you."
You stifle a gag as he presses his forehead to the side of your temple, giving a small laugh as he muttered the words in your ear. Finally, he leans back, dropping his hand from your cheek. He returns to pacing, now facing away from you.
"So...in my infinite mercy, as that is the type of angel I am...I will allow you to make a choice." He stops his movements, looking out the window wistfully. "I suggest you think over your next move carefully."
The guards holding you share an uneasy glance as Michael flicks his wrist, waving toward the door. They drop you to your knees, and promptly leave the room. You scoot as far away from him as the chain on your ankle will allow, still repeating the silent prayer that Lucifer would come for you, and reduce Michael to a bloody pulp.
Michael holds the vial up to the light, observing it as it refracts rainbow shapes onto the walls of the cell. "Your choice will be this, Mc. Either I end your life- giving you a very slow and painful death. You will never again be reincarnated as another being, and your soul will be kept in the deepest tomb of the Celestial Palace, never to see the light of day again." He turns to you, but his expression was difficult to read. It was crossed somewhere between pity and jubilation. "Lilith's bloodline will end with you. You won't even have a spirit to roam the earth with. You will simply cease to be."
Michael's face then contorts into a wicked smile as he drops his arms down to his side, now walking briskly toward you. He squats down as you try to shift away, the chain pulling tightly on your ankle as he reaches out to strok your calf.
"Or..." His smile widens as his fingers dust along your leg. His other hand holds the vial up to you. "...You can choose the path of grace by drinking this."
You hadn't realized how heavy your breath was until it suddenly catches in your throat. You stare at the intimidating angel before you, both terrified and confused. "Wh...what is that..?"
Michael chuckles darkly, twisting the vial between his fingers. "Curious, hmm? This is nectar from a very rare plant that we farm beneath the palace. It's called the Five-Winged Corpse flower. It's nectar is what we use to allow deserving humans into the Celestial realm as angels after their death."
You stare at the vial, watching the liquid ooze in different directions as he twists it for you to observe. You furrowed your brow in confusion, trying to figure out his intentions. "To...make me an angel..? You just got done telling me how horrible I am. Why don't you just kill me?"
Michael tutted at you. "Its rude to demand so many answers at once, little dove."
You grimace at the pet name, not liking the fondness he seemed to have for you now. In all accounts, you preferred him hating you.
"You see, I've decided to give you a second chance..." Michael beamed, searching your face for a reaction. "One that would still require your death, of course... but would also allow you the opportunity to renounce your life of sin. You will still need punishment for your actions, but I would allow you to be reincarnated as an angel. You would be held under my strict supervision as you unlearn all of the sinful things you had allowed yourself to indulge in, and i would truly look forward to the opportunity to make you into the heavenly being you could be."
You swallow hard, trying to decode why he was offerring you this choice. You were confused and terrified of his proposal, neither option sounding appealing at all. And the idea that you would be at his mercy should you chose this option, though, made you feel sick. Your mind raced with all of the things you feared Michael would do to you as "punishment." Tears threaten to well behind you eyes, trying desperately to manifest a call to the brothers to come help you, but you couldn't get up the strength to send out a call. You knew the anxiety and the physical weakness you felt from when they had struck you over the head had weakened your ability, but you felt something else getting In the way. It was as if something was siphoning out your energy. Each attempt at calling Lucifer, then Mammon, then Beel, Satan, Levi, Asmo, and Belphie proved fruitless.
Michael interrupts your thoughts with a laugh, somehow knowing where your thoughts were gravitating toward. "You would be forbidden from ever setting foot in the Devildom again, of course. Your pacts would disappear, as would your connections with those horrid brothers. And your engagement with Lucifer would become annulled. You will have anything you could ever want, and the ability to regain your purity. Certainly a life here would be a million times better than one amongst demons, wouldnt you say?"
You feel tears well up behind your eyes upon realizing that both choices would result in having to abandon the brothers. You shake your head aggressively, finding anger seeping through your pores at the fact that this so-called angel was seemingly trying to own you- to keep you something he could use for his own amusement. It overridded your fear, and you swallowed it down hard as he gazed at you expectantly, awaiting your answer.
You took a deep, shaking breath, deciding that your hope to live was forlorn. "I...I'd rather die a thousand deaths than live one second as your prisoner."
Michael's smile slowly fell into an intense frown. His gentle stroking of your leg ceased, now opting to squeeze it tightly, his sharp nails dug into your skin from beneath his gloves. You try to hold back your fear, now staring him down intently as his eyes shook with rage.
"You may feel that way now..." He hisses, squeezing your leg so hard that blood begins to ooze from the shallow indents he was making. "...but perhaps your tune will change when you see the fate of your lover."
Your eyes widen slightly at his words as he stands. You had no idea what he was talking about, but a pit formed in your stomach as your mind raced with all the horrible things he was probably planning on doing or had already done to Lucifer. Michael mutters something under his breath that you couldnt quite make out before again turning to leave. He pauses with his hand on the latch of the cell, glancing over his shoulder once more to look at you.
"Your death will ckme regardless of your choice-" Michael cracked another wicked smirk, the danger behind it sending a chill down your spine. "-I've already ensured that...but the right decision would preserve the life of Lucifer, and the rest of his pathetic little family. Take some time to let that soak in before hastily making a choice, Little Dove."
You fight back another gag as Michael walks through the door. He slams it hard behind him. You flinch at the sound, knowing that the violent action was an intentional warning of his capabilities.
The sound of his and the other guards' footsteps fades down the hall as you curl into yourself, hugging your legs tightly. You gently nurse the dripping wounds on your calf as tears finally force their way out of your eyes. All you wanted was to be held in Lucifers arms again; safe within the walls of the place you called home with the 7 brothers.
Michael paced the floor of the council chambers, awaiting impatiently his colleagues to come through on his urgent request to convene. If they didn't, it wouldn't be that big of a deal, really. His plan could be commenced without their silly input. Besides, he knew at least half of them would attempt to veto his plan. "Try" being the key word here. But he wanted witness to his grand scheme- one that would surely solidify a reputation of being as powerful as God himself.
The tranquilizer he had ordered Uriel and the guards to give Lucifer would wear off within the next two hours, so it was imperative that he finish what he started before that point. He did not expect Lucifer to be so strong-willed, making him ultimately question what it was about Mc that produced such a desperation. After meeting her, he was able to understand. Her aura was intoxicating, and oddly enough, he sensed a feeling of purity radiating from her that he didn't expect.
She had done so many sinful things, and caused even the most dedicated angel to become demonic. How could she still have purity?
Michael sighed, clicking his tongue as he pondered the human. The more he thought about her, the more his emotions confused him. He felt absolute hatred toward her, but also a deep longing and curiosity that he hadn't felt before. And that curiosity drove him to the brink of insanity. Was this her manipulative nature, or was she truly just so radiant that any being would fall to their knees before her?
Regardless of what it was, he needed to keep these emotions hidden.
The last thing he wanted was for the council to discover that he had changed his game plan, even fought they hadn't even really uncovered the original from the start. Each time he thought about the initial plot to wipe her from existence, he felt a strong urge to slap his past self for being so naive. Of course this woman was something special if she harbors so much power, and instead of destroying it, he could make that power his to command.
His thoughts wandered back to her state of dress, and what he perceived to be a mixture of terror and awe as she laid her eyes upon him. He paused on the image in his brain, feeling his body quiver with excitement. He wondered if she'd give up easily; if she'd give him what he wanted when he wanted it- or if she would resist. He wasn't sure which outcome would be better. Having blind adoration made his ego feel strong, but he also thrived off of a challenge- and something felt oddly gratifying in breaking someone's spirit.
Michael smiled to himself, licking his lips in eager anticipation. He couldn't wait for the opportunity to conduct a thorough punishment, and to see the fragile human quiver below his touch. He felt a shiver run through his spine as he imagined her begging to become an angel- begging to be able to repent- as Michael brought the whip down on her once more.
Regardless of what the human chose as her path, Michael would see to it that she would become his, no matter what it took.
He paused his pacing, feeling a twinge of worry manifest in the back of his mind. The small bit of his consciousness that always second guessed his motives and actions wasn't usually loud, but this time it produced a clear warning:
What if father found out about this plan? Or even the thoughts you are having about this human? Such heinous acts should not make you feel so inflamed with desire.
Michael winced, trying to think for a moment. Was this human already turning him to sin in just the brief interaction he had with her? No, preposterous. Michael was a just and righteous man, and his desires to control this human was not sinful. Serving a just punishment was not sin, it was glory. And besides, the sexual desire that underlied these emotions toward her could be nulled when the human would perish, and then be reborn as an angel.
After all, he fully intended to change her to this path, whether she consented or not.
Michael was jolted from his thoughts as irritated and anxious murmuring grew closer from beyond the council chamber doors. Within moments, the doors creaked open, and the annoyed and concerned faces of his peers appeared, uneasily taking their place in their seats.
"Michael, what is the meaning of this?!" Remiel demanded, having already been told by Uriel that Lucifer and the human were being held prisoner under his order.
Michael smirked. "All in due time, Remmy."
Remiel glowered at him, having told him over a thousand times at this point that she loathed that nickname.
"Regardless of what your intentions are, it is completely unacceptable that you did not include us in the conversation around staging a literal kidnapping." Remiel crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "So an explanation is needed for why you thought this was acceptable."
Gabriel and Raguel nodded their heads in agreement, but Uriel let out an annoyed breath.
"It's funny you all assume Michael's in the wrong here. Obviously he didn't come to us first because you all wouldn't even try to hear him out when he talked about how dangerous this human was before." They shrugged, mimicking Remiel's posture. "Besides, I think it's time Lucifer finally got to answer better for his crimes."
"Crimes? From a war that occurred thousands of years ago?!" Raguel spat, annoyed at the grudge Uriel clearly held against the eldest brother. "We have moved past that as a civilization, so why can't you?"
"It's the principle of it!" Uriel scowled, feeling his face burn in embarrassment.
Raguel rolled his eyes. "I'm sure it is. I think you're just an immature, spoiled, brat who merely wants to enact revenge, but sure. 'It's the principal'."
Uriel gritted his teeth, muttering insults under his breath.
"Now, now," Michael smirked, now turning his back to her. Walking back toward where the council had just entered, He continued: "You all may save your discussion for when i return. For now, I must go retrieve the man of the hour."
Thanks for joining me on the journey through the series thusfar! I hope you enjoy reading! If you have not read the series yet, be aware there are spoilers ahead! Read under the cut!
CW: Somewhat graphic discussion of past events in the series and Vermillion Skies [sexual violence, depression, anxiety, PTSD, torture, violence, etc...], SPOILERS AHEAD.
Series Masterlist
1. Will you be providing music accompaniment for this series like you did with VS? (asked by @saharahsbliss and Bee)
I did originally make some posts with music to go with the series, but I ended up scrapping the idea since interest in it seemed really, really low. I have been interested in bringing it back though, as it would have been helpful when I was reading to get back into the headspace of Melancholia with the music available. So, instead of making separate posts, I will be updating each part with >>THIS PLAYLIST<< on spotify, which will contain all of the music for the entire series. I will indicate stop and start points in each chapter, so that way if you wanted to listen straight through, you can! I’m glad at least a few people were interested in me bringing this back, and I really want to incorporate more music into little ficlets or series that I do.
2. What is the lore behind Simeon and Solomon’s friendship? (asked by @itsmeninerz )
Aha! I wanted to dive more into this in the story, but I didn’t really see a good opportunity to so I am glad you asked! Basically, throughout Simeon’s healing process, they didn’t talk at all. Previously, Solomon was the one Simeon often went to when he had a problem because he trusted him the most (which is why the events that occur related to Solomon in Vermillion Skies feel so egregious to Simeon). Simeon obviously grew closer to him throughout the exchange program, and living with him strengthened their bonds similar to how living with the brothers strengthened Mc’s bond with them. Generally speaking, Solomon is served as his closest confidant, which is why Solomon was surprised he was even alive after they meet again in the beginning of Melanchoilia. He’s not used to going so long without talking to him. And vice versa, Solomon views Simeon as his closest friend, given that it seems as though he doesn’t have very many, it’s not a hard title to hold, but Solomon’s relationship with Simeon is almost...desperate, especially after Mc distances herself because she was his other very close friend. So he this is why he tolerates his complete personality shift after his fall, mostly because he knew it would be temporary, and because he doesn’t have anyone else, considering that Mc’s connection to him had been severed.
3. How much did Solomon actually know about Simeon’s obsession with Mc? Why did he not intervene in it? (asked by @itsmeninerz )
He knew quite a bit about it, as he was always the one Simeon turned to when he needed to talk about his emotions and fears, but he didn’t really realize that it was to the point that Simeon was like, super corrupted- mostly because he didn’t really know if it was enough to make him lose his status as an angel. That’s part of the reason why he didn’t necessarily intervene- that and because every time he tried to sort of gently bring up the nature of his feelings about Mc being strong, Simeon would deflect or deny that it was really that significant. So, generally speaking, Simeon didn’t really even realize how intense his emotions were either, because he was in so much denial about the fact that they were there and tried to burry them.
4. Are you taking the story in the direction of an all-out war because of Michael’s actions, similar to what the Celestial war would have been? (asked by anonymous)
Not exactly! I do plan on there being conflict for sure, but there will not be a full-blown realms-wide war between the Celestial Realm and the Devildom.
5. Where did you get your inspiration for Michael’s character? (asked by @saharahsbliss )
I took VERY STRONG influence from the character of Frollo (Huntchback of Notre Dame) in my conceptualization of Michael. I really loved (or well, hated) Frollo as a Villian in that book/movie, mostly because he was very complex, and at the same time so very, very committed to his hatred and obsessions that he just went completely mad trying to commit genocide. I really wanted to bring through the hypocrisy that is often shown in Catholic ideology that has been interpreted by humans, and just wanted his character to be the embodiment of that. In the next part, I even am using Hellfire as a form of inspiration for a part with Michael’s character (some of the songs I plan on using are already on the playlist, actually!)
I loved the idea of an angel who embodies the essence of damnation-focused Catholicism that has lead to discrimination and violence among clergy, especially as the primary antagonist and a vessel for Simeon’s redemption arc. I also find Michael to be weirdly dictator like in the few snippets we give of him, so I wanted to display that as he spirals more into his obsession with Mc.I know we are getting more tastes of him from Nightbringer and there is a potential that they will actually give him a character model, and maybe my interpretation of him is all wrong according to what the devs are thinking about him, but this feels right to me.
Devs!!! Make Michael a villain!! I beg of you! I need a clear antagonist, dammit!
6. Can we know more about your thoughts/headcanons on the council- what they look like, background, etc? (asked by anonymous)
Michael
Role: Head of Council (formerly Assistant Head of Council and Proletariat Liaison)
Features: dark brown eyes; rectangular glasses; chin-length straw colored hair usually half-tied into a pony; usually dressed in a pristine white and gold military-looking uniform; stands at about 6′5″ (200cm); looks to be about 48 in human years; muscular build and very strong; always has a stern look on his face.
Personality: uptight (even more than Lucifer); very strict rule follower and emphasizes purity; authoritarian and almost dictator-like in the way he runs things; convinced the rest of the council is not needed and tries to run things on his own; egotistical and self-centered.
Background/Lore: Michael has held a role on the council since before Lucifer was ever a Seraphim, starting as the Proletariat Liaison and working his way up. Over time, Michael has sort of lost his feelers with how the average angel lives in the celestial realm, and can be compared to a CEO of sorts. He is very egotistical about his relationship with God and the position he currently holds. While Michael would never admit to it, he often feels as if he knows exactly what Gods will is without even asking, and this causes a lot of conflict. However, being the authoritarian he is, he is good at his job, which is what keeps him in the position. Citizens in the Celestial realm are terrified of him, and often try to avoid him. Think of his reputation as similar to what Lucifer holds in the Celestial Realm. Michael often thinks of himself as above the Council, and will often make executive decisions without involving them (exhibited in the series). Michael has always felt threatened by Lucifer given he was God’s favorite, and has always tried to one-up him and squash his confidence, though it didn’t really work until he fell, giving Michael the higher ground in the sense of Purity, which allowed him a little bit of a leg up with God. He still feels envious of the mercy Lucifer was allotted after falling from the Celestial Realm, though. In Melancholia, Michael is going mad because he felt the exact same with how the events of Simeon’s Fall transpired, given that Simeon is another one of God’s “favorites.” He also feels threatened by Gabriel for the same reason, and this contributes to the obsessiveness of his actions. He’s constantly trying to prove his worth and this comes out as overconfidence to mask insecurity.
Gabriel
Role: Assistant Head of Council (formerly the Proletariat Liaison)
Features: dark grey eyes; long and unkempt dark brown hair; dresses very casually compared to most of the council; freckles; lean build; stands at about 5′9″ (176cm); looks to be about 39 in human years; usually looks very relaxed and content; almost always smiling.
Personality: very relaxed; a bit more loose on following the rules; very empathetic; charismatic and friendly; emphasizes collaboration amongst others; enjoys connecting to common angels and is loved by his constituents.
Background/Lore: Gabriel was elected into this title after Lucifer’s fall (who formerly held the title despite Lucifer being younger than him). Gabriel was nervous about taking on the role considering he and Michael’s personalities clash a lot. Gabriel was a very close friend of Lucifer, and that always made Michael envious. Whenever Michael is absent, the council meetings often run a lot smoother and there’s more collaboration amongst them, as they thrive better under Gabriel’s leadership style. Gabriel desires more connection between the Celestial Realm and the other realms, and has even suggested having a representative from the Devildom and a representative from the Human world included in Council Meetings on a regular basis, but this has never gotten passed a casual idea because of Michael’s refusal to entertain it. Remiel and Raguel have regularly proposed that Gabriel should take Michael’s place after Lucifer’s fall, but Michael’s ego makes it impossible for them to even suggest retirement or stepping down to him, and they fear what his response would be if they were to bring the matter directly to God.
Uriel
Role: Correspondent and Marketing Commissioner
Features: magenta eyes; very dark auburn hair that fades to red at the ends; very short compared to most angels and demons, standing at about 5′6″ (167cm); looks to be about 26 in human years; chubby and muscular build; alternates between gold leather and black leather fingerless gloves; looped gold chain around his neck; tight black crop top, white skinny jeans, and a bold white and gold jacket with cutoff sleeves; nonbinary (they/them pronouns).
Personality: Sarcastic; a bit uptight; very negatively biased toward demons and humans; over protective; irritable; untrusting; charismatic but very impatient and has a short fuse
Background/Lore: Uriel is Michael’s closest advisor and friend, and is very close friends with Saraqael. They did not even want to be on the council until Michael strong armed them into it. They enjoy doing the job that they do, but they do experience relentless bullying for their height from other angels. Uriel is extremely untrusting of anyone who isn’t an angel, but especially humans. Uriel had a huge crush on Lilith and was infuriated over the fact that she had fallen in love with a human, and they still definitely hold onto hurt about that. They also harbor hatred toward Lucifer for his betrayal and also because Lucifer did not think they were a suitable partner for Lilith, so would always interrupt their attempts to woo her. Uriel came onto the council shortly after the Celestial war and the individual in his position was killed.
Raguel
Role: Parliamentarian and Historian (formerly the Military Representative)
Features: emerald eyes; formerly jet black hair, but has faded to almost completely dark grey; muscular build and very strong; many scars from serving in previous wars and tattoos from his military honors; many wrinkles that show his age; eyepatch because he has severe damage to one eye from the celestial war; long grey beard (the picrew didnt do him justice); wears dusty white and gold toga-like clothing; stands at about 6′3″ (190cm); looks to be about 74 in human years; horrible RBF
Personality: strict, but can be empathetic; very blunt; uptight and very firm on tradition and rules; diligent; stubborn; organized; closed off from other angels; loves the young angels and enjoys mentoring them.
Background/Lore: Raguel is the oldest member of the council by a significant margin, even beating out Michael in age. Raguel is a former military commander, and has a longstanding history in serving the Celestial Army prior to his role on the council. He used to serve as the Military Representative, but after his retirement from the Military (and under Lucifer’s suggestion), he transitioned to Parliamentarian. Raguel is cold towards most angels he meets other than his wife and family, though Remiel tends to get on his nerves a lot as a result of generational gaps in values. The only other individual who got along with him was Lucifer, as Lucifer held great respect for him and in turn held great respect for the traditions that Raguel values so much. He has never liked Michael, and hates the way that he runs the council. While he also isn’t fond of Gabriel, he thinks Gabriel would make a better leader. He has very short patience for Michael’s willful disregard of tradition and rules when it serves him, making Raguel feel as if he is very hypocritical.
Remiel
Role: Proletariat Liaison
Features: emerald eyes; jet black hair worn fairly short in tight braids; very lean and muscular build; stands at about 5′7″ (170cm); looks to be about 22 years old in human years; a few facial tattoos for military honors; wears a white skin-tight leotard and high-waisted white and gold-faded flare pants with a black belt; wears lots of jewelry hand-made by her younger siblings by pearls found in the water bodies of the human world.
Personality: generally very collected and calm, but very passionate when she’s angry or upset; emphasizes justice and equity; fierce advocate of common angels, demons, and humans amongst the high angels; loves humans and holds a fondness toward demons; stubborn; very lively and down to earth; simplistic in her needs; enjoys connecting to common angels and is loved by her constituents.
Background/Lore: Remiel is the great grand-daughter of Raguel. While she holds great respect for Raguel’s position as both an elder in her family and amongst the council, they often butt heads because of their difference in values. Remiel is by far the youngest angel on the council, peaking in adolescence during Lucifer’s reign in the celestial realm. While she is young, she is very bull-headed and tends to fight back when she thinks something a superior has said is wrong. She is empathetic toward Lucifer in his brothers, and was very fond of Mammon, Lilith, Belphie, and Beel when they were angels. One of her biggest regrets is enlisting in the Celestial army when she was still a teenager, only doing so under pressure from her military-centric family. She has made it a goal to make up for the damage the war caused to Lucifer and his brother’s psyche, and often holds onto personal responsibility for Lilith’s death. When Diavolo suggested the exchange program, she and Simeon were the only volunteers, but she did not get to go because of Michael feeling like her personality was susceptible to corruption, despite Simeon’s encouragement for her to go in his place. Michael strongly dislikes Remiel and they argue a lot. He has tried to get her kicked from the council multiple times. She was elected into Simeon’s former role on the council during the time between the incident at the ball and Simeon’s eventual fall, but had been a temporary elect in his place through the exchange program per Simeon’s request. Before Simeon’s fall, she and Simeon were very close friends, and she would like to build back up that relationship, but is unsure how to without scrutiny from Michael. Remiel’s goal is to eventually be head of council, and has a lot of changes she wants to see in the Celestial Realm. She also wants to become close with both Solomon and Mc, and is curious to know more about humans since she has had limited encounters with them.
Saraqael
Role: Trustee & Asset Manager
Features: amber eyes; very long straight brown hair, often worn in various styles (similar styles to princess Leia or Padme from Star Wars); very thin build; stands at about 5′9″ (175cm); looks to be about 26 in human years; two scars under her eyes where two more eyes are present when she’s in her angel form; usually wears makeup and decorates her face with traditional markings; wears a white sleeveless high-neck jumpsuit with pink accents; wears a dark magenta floor-length shall with rose gold accents
Personality: quiet; cold and calculating; enjoys being alone a frequently isolates herself from other angels; best friends with Uriel; very creative and makes her own clothing and jewelry; very similar in personality to Asmo without the charisma and extroversion; strongly dislikes humans; materialistic; outwardly nice, but very petty and judgmental underneath
Background/Lore: Saraqael was elected onto the council well after Lucifer’s fall, and Uriel is one of her only friends. Saraqael had a huge crush on Michael in the past, but her attention shifted to Simeon after she got to know him better during her time on the council. Like Uriel, she harbors a strong negative bias toward humans as a result of Simeon’s fall, and blames both humans and the brothers for his corruption. Saraqael really struggles with still harboring feelings for Simeon and having hatred inside for his betrayal. She absolutely loathes Mc and Lucifer, and usually uses them both as scapegoats for blame. Saraqael has a very difficult time with accepting things, and often holds grudges against others despite her outward nice demeanor. She often holds empathy as a reward, and doesn’t feel others outwardly deserve it. She is very intelligent, though often is too anxious to speak up when someone is wrong. She is very envious of Remiel’s ability to advocate and stand her ground, and had tried to become closer to her until she became very turned off as a result of Remiel’s political motives. She is favorited by Michael because she often will sway votes in his favor to gain his approval.
Raphael
Role: Military Representative
Features: canon appearance!
Personality: canon, but with a mix of “sheep” mentality (e.g. blindly follows Michael’s orders without making his own choices)
Background/Lore: Really I feel like Raphael’s personality didn’t need much of a change from what was canonically provided, other than I wanted him to feel a bit more conflicted on his alliance with Michael as he realized that he was becoming more and more obsessed. As he is kind of a himbo and very unobservant, I felt like he was best fit for this sort of character development. Generally speaking, the only individuals on the council Raphael is close to are Gabriel and Michael. He does definitely respect Raguel for his accolade in the Military and he had served as a commander during Remiel’s time in the Military, he isn’t very close to either of them. He mostly keeps to himself, as he never really managed to make more friends outside of Gabriel, Michael, and Simeon after the brothers’ fall, mostly out of fear that they would fall too if he got too close to them (he’s got abandonment issues lol). The main reason why he went along with Michael’s plan despite Raguel’s recurrent warnings and Gabriel’s suggestion for him to take some time off is because he somehow wanted to fix the situation with Simeon, which is what was falsely promised to him by Michael.
7. Did you envision Simeon moving in to the House of Lamentation because MC and Lucifer would live someplace else after getting married? (asked by @itsmeninerz)
Actually no! I honestly don’t think the Mc (or Lucifer) would feel comfortable leaving the HOL after their marriage! My motivation behind Diavolo having Simeon move in with the brothers is because of their shared experiences of being former angels, and figuring Simeon would need significant help adjusting to being a demon- especially considering the brothers had some significant changes in personality after the fall (as they were now the embodiment of their sins) and they would likely be able to help Simeon adjust to this as well!
8. Who do you think would make the best antagonist out of all of the Obey Me! characters so far? (asked by Anonymous)
I wanted to include this one here since it wasnt -super- relevant, but you had mentioned that you liked me making Simeon somewhat antagonistic in VS/Melancholia, so I wanted to answer it with the Q&A!
Generally, I think there’s a few answers here depending on the type of antagonist you want. I am personally fond of Michael being a villain, but if you want to talk only the characters we’ve been well acquainted with, I would say Solomon. I have outlined my thoughts on him in Nightbringer elsewhere, but I will suffice to say that I think he’s got a lot of potential given the obsessiveness he has with protecting humanity, and his thirst for power by pacting with so many demons. I really like the idea of him being so caught up in his lust for power that he loses his humanity, and think about the potential angst with his ability to combat your pacts with Asmo and Levi??? Plus his clear willfulness to use Barbatos’ power even when he clearly doesn’t want anything to do with him!!
Gah, Anyways- that’s who I’d pick. Otherwise I think maybe a resurgence of the Demon King would be interesting, and having him be an antagonist would be kind of cool!
