Many of the Loyal began to tremble at the sight of Lucifer's massive army bearing down on them.
"Stand your ground," Michael ordered.
Tayden edged over toward the archangel. "Michael, sir, there are more of them than we anticipated."
Michael nodded. "I ask only that you fight your hardest, Tayden."
The approaching army grew louder and louder, but Michael refused to blink.
Lucifer charged at Michael, his fiery sword drawn. "You will bow before me!" he shouted.
Michael smiled. "I bow only before the King of Kings."
In a flash, the blazing sword was drawn, gleaming with a golden light.
"As will you."
The lines collided, shaking galaxies with their force. Michael parried Lucifer's mighty first slash, and elsewhere the dark line of Lucifer's followers met with the ranks of the loyal.
Tayden drew his sword and was confronted by none other than Apollyon, the Destroyer. The huge rebel angel towered over Tayden, a malicious grin on his face. With one blow he swatted Tayden aside with the flat of his sword, sending the smaller Loyal angel tumbling off to the side. Cackling hideously, Apollyon turned to cut down Michael from behind.
Another golden blade interposed itself between Apollyon and Michael. Raphael stepped into the Destroyer's path as Michael and Lucifer continued to battle. "From behind, Apollyon? I think not."
Apollyon bellowed his rage and hacked at Raphael, who parried the dark angel's furious swings, but only with great exertion.
Tayden struggled to his feet only to be confronted again, this time by Axium. "We meet again, brother," Axium sneered.
A look of despair crept over Tayden's face. "It is not too late to stop this, brother."
"I cannot stop this battle," Axium replied, "nor do I wish to stop this battle." He advanced toward Tayden, his fiery sword drawn. "It is too late to turn back now, Tayden."
