The Archangels set off toward the strange place the giants had told them about. The journey was long toward their destination, but along the way they learned much about the planet, which would now become their new home.
They had to be prepared to endure the waiting time, the climatic changes, and adapt to the food that nature provided.
The fatigue was felt intensely, as they had not yet fully regained their strength, and they needed to eat and sleep more frequently. This caught their attention, as it had never happened to them before...
—Guys, we have to stop. It's strange, but I feel like I can't recover enough from the battles I’ve had... —said Uriel.
Upon hearing this, Rafael said:
—It's true, I’ve noticed it too. I think it has to do with the oxygen and even the nature itself. It’s like its properties aren’t enough for us...
—If that’s the case, it poses a big problem, especially in battles. What can we do? —Gabriel asked, concerned.
Uriel stood up and encouraged them, saying:
—Friends, all we have to do is adapt. That will be the best way for our bodies to adjust, and that way we'll increase our level. Don’t worry, we’ll make it... Now, let’s keep going.
After a while, the youths reached a very strange area of the planet. Everything was covered in snow and ice. It looked more like a frozen ocean. The temperatures were so low that they froze the air, and apparently, it was getting worse.
Uriel and her companions kept moving forward. They could see massive ice mountains but felt a strange presence inhabiting the place. Still, they saw nothing indicating an entrance—until, after much searching, they found a hot spring in the middle of the frozen plain. The heat was intense, as was the dangerous energy it emitted.
—Now I understand why no one from this planet has survived here —said Uriel.
The Archangels decided to go down and investigate. As they approached the spring, their damaged weapons—which seemed dead—began to glow and vibrate strangely.
—What…? —they asked, surprised.
With uncertainty in their hearts, they chose to enter the hot spring. Once inside, they swam quickly downward until, mysteriously, they emerged from the water. They couldn’t clearly understand what was happening.
Below was a dark and dry place, filled with intense heat. Very spacious. It was as if someone had built it intentionally. The weapons kept screeching, emitting a horrible sound.
Rafael stopped and said to his friends:
—Wait a moment!
—What is it, Rafael?
—It's strange, but this heat and this presence... I’ve felt it before. I’m sure of it!
As their eyes adapted to the darkness, they began to see small traces of ash in the air, glowing faintly…
—It can’t be… this presence is…! —Rafael didn’t finish his sentence when their weapons and armor detached from them and flew into the darkness. A great heat began to burn, forming a massive bird of fire that flew as if it were alive…
—IT’S THE FORGER! —shouted the young man, excited.
—What!? —his friends asked, shocked.
And mysteriously, their legendary weapons stood before the bird, who spoke in a mighty voice:
—Welcome to my domain, warriors. I’ve been waiting for you eagerly.
The young ones were speechless and stunned by what they were seeing…
—It’s natural to be so surprised. However, it’s no coincidence I’m here. You knew me on your planet as the Forger, but here my name is Phoenix, the immortal spirit...
First of all, you must know that the true war has just begun. And for that, you, the Archangels, have been chosen. You must fight to the end.
The King of AN—the one all revere and no one has ever seen—is the very will of the universe, able to take any form. Likewise, the Titans are the judges tasked with carrying out that will. But such power corrupts the mind of any being. That’s why they made their own decisions, and very soon they will return from the slumber into which you cast them with the sacrifice of your lives—and they will try to destroy everything.
That’s why I’m here. My job has always been to control the actions of the judges, who will now be known as the Four Horsemen of Revelation, or better said: the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
And you will be the warriors who fight them… I see with amazement that four of you survived the first confrontation...
—Excuse me, but… did you say four? —Gabriel asked, as they looked at each other, confused.
The Phoenix answered firmly:
—That’s right. Rauel, the seraph. Although he’s very far from this galaxy, he’s still alive. I know this because his hammer returned to me on its own. That shows me the young man lives, though perhaps in a deep sleep caused by the Titans. It’s astonishing that he managed to use “spatial distortion” on himself so quickly, before the fatal attack consumed him...
They all rejoiced and embraced at the great news.
—Even though our weapons couldn’t withstand the evil forces —said Uriel.
—That’s because the will of their bearers was weak. Remember, your spirits are one with them, so if your will is strong, your weapons will be too... Now it’s time to repair them, and you must stay here to heal your wounds, regain your strength, and become more powerful than ever.
Hearing this, the young ones asked tearfully:
—Wasn’t the will of Miguel, Remeiel, and Sariel strong enough, even after giving their lives to seal the judges? It’s not fair that they’re dead...
To this, the immortal spirit replied:
—It’s possible they are alive too.
—Is that true!?
—Perhaps not in the same form as before, but it’s possible their spirits live on in their weapons, which also returned to me on their own… Well, we won’t know for sure until they are repaired.
What the Phoenix was telling them was quite encouraging, and with trembling voices they pleaded:
—Please, we beg you… repair them!
The great bird, seeing the purity of their plea, said:
—That’s exactly what I will do!
“HEAR ME, LEGENDARY WEAPONS THAT CARRY THE SPIRITS OF YOUR BEARERS: REVIVE WITH THE FIRE OF MY WINGS AND RETURN ONCE MORE TO THE BATTLE!”
In a tremendous blaze, the weapons ignited with powerful fire, regained their glow, and were completely restored and enhanced. Immediately, the Sword of Light, the Lightning Sword, and the Dark Axe returned to their owners, restoring their full strength and battle gear.
Uriel, holding her sword firmly, shouted toward the others:
—Great Hammer of Justice, go find our friend Rauel and bring him back, please, I beg you!
And the great hammer rose powerfully and disappeared into the air...
Meanwhile, the two remaining swords and the Fire Bow remained ablaze in the Phoenix's wings. He spoke to the warriors one last time:
—From now on, the war is not just yours, but also that of the inhabitants of this world. Earth will contribute its own distinguished warriors, who will join your fight for the future. Just as that young giant girl named Agatha will, so too will Hercules, Enoch, Elijah, and others who will feel this calling. As will those who will become powerful enemies. Prepare yourselves, because the end is near...
Saying this, the great bird infused the weapons with his fire and disappeared into them, which scattered in different directions across Earth.
The young ones understood everything and decided to make that place their refuge and main training ground. They would bring recruits there to form part of their new army.
—We’ll train here and become invincible. We’ll wait for our beloved friends to return someday —Uriel said hopefully.
—That’s right, friend. That’s what we’ll do —Gabriel agreed, then added—: Besides, I guess we need to find those warriors named Hercules, Enoch, and Elijah, right?
—Yes, but first we’ll go find Agatha. She must’ve grown a bit by now. She’s very strong —the girl confirmed.
Rafael, thoughtful, said:
—I just hope the hammer finds Rauel and brings him back… Now we should rest a bit before heading out, agreed?
—Don’t worry. They’ll all return, because they’re the strongest and they won’t give up so easily… And yes, you’re right: let’s get some rest —Gabriel answered with a smile.
While the young warriors trained and rested at the ends of the Earth, time passed quickly outside, and many changes were taking place...
Meanwhile, on AN, the Arcanian leaders were already aware of the situation. Shemihaza had set his plan in motion to colonize the planet Earth.
—Everything has gone exactly as we planned... no, even better —said the Patriarch, standing before his generals. With a cunning smile, he concluded:
—The Titans have been sealed... and those Archangels will no longer be in our way.
Prepare yourselves.