I know that voice, I know it commands me. Still I rage and scream in frustration, for it calls me from my sacred duty, my reason to exist. So close to plunging into the abomination and pierce Nightmare's heart with the Light of Heaven. So close...
My mind is starting to feel like dough. Gabriel is venting his glorious fury upon the Fallen one, driving her off. Beleth was always a bit of a weakling deep down, I'm not surprised that she hasn't changed. Fire spins and whirls, regarding me with his multiple eyes. Burning me through with his thought, as he takes in...
Something slips from my mind all of a sudden. Static fills my head and roars in my ears. What... What happened?
Why does my chest feel like it's bound tight with restraints? Why...I have wings. But why did I manifest...? They don't feel right. There's a sword in my hand. I used it to kill, and kill and kill... How many demons and ethereals did I destroy just now? I can't think, I feel so spent. Oh, yes - I spent all my power on that final attack. The one She called off.
Confusion.
Er. Didn't I have a tail? Oh God have mercy, I don't remember who I am anymore. Who am I? What am I? My mind, so clouded. So tired. Thousands of eyes wreathed in fire, all staring at me. Ah, there's an emotion I do recognize - fear. Terror. She is going to kill me. She is an Archangel and she is insane.
A moment ago she was a he. What...?
Thoughts are running lose all over the place and I can't catch them or control them.
Where's my tail? Why do I have feathers on my wings? I don't have feathers! But these are black and, and...
Terror!
Oh my God. I didn't...? Did I? Please, no. Nonono. I didn't. It's impossible. Lucifer preserve me, I'm so tired. The mad Archangel is laughing! "Coal! Coal within the ash!" She is coming for me, and I know I've had it. It's over.
Fire! Surrounded by Fire, yet I don't burn. Why don't I burn?
It's a good thing celestials can't get nauseated.
She whirled me around and around, then left me spinning and bobbing in her wake. Alive. Why? How?
Spinning and bobbing. The indignity of it!
I live. I know me now. I am Liriel and I am a Balseraph. But for the moment I have black, feathered wings and Light's Sword in my hand. If I wasn't so tired and if my throat wasn't so raw, I'd scream. If I wasn't so numb, I might feel something.
This does not bode well for tomorrow.
I numb. Must pick up camera and finish job here... Lilith will take care of Sculpting.
Sigh.