#not so remorselessly: I nearly cried painting hurt Azrael no kappa

[sophi-s]

More of that redemption AU!

At long last!!! It's finally here! That took a while but with ten pictures to make and an essay to write it had to XD

I'd like to say a couple things before starting. First, the following content features angst, blood, injuries and images that may be viewed as disturbing by some people, I apologise in advance. You've been warned. Second, I'm accepting any asks about this AU and I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability. Third, for those who haven't seen part 1 yet, you can find it here.

That being said, let's get into it.

When Abaddon freed Azrael, the Angel of Death understandably had trust issues. He was sure the Destroyer is trying to deceive him again. Since he was still in a rough shape after his imprisonment and the run-in with Straga, his former friend got him out onto a balcony to let him catch a breath of fresh air and there try to persuade him that he has no ill intentions this time. The negotiations however, were stopped before they even began.

The two archangels were caught together by an unfortunate Demon Sorcerer. Unfortunate, because Abaddon didn't want any witnesses just yet. The poor sod barely registered what hit him.

In that moment Azrael believed that his friend could've returned after all. He just jumped the unsuspecting demon without a second thought. The Destroyer would never just off his own soldiers when each was priceless in these trying times. But this kill fueled Destroyer's bloodlust and triggered Abaddon's first ever loss of control ever since he turned to Light again. When he realised what's happening, it was too late to stop it…

As short as it was, it nearly cost Azrael his life. For Abaddon, losing himself so easily was like a slap to the face with a wet rag. He'd almost killed his friend and could've done nothing about it but watch like a prisoner in his own body. It was… scary. For the first time in way too long he said - and meant it! -

Abaddon realised that the Destroyer inside of his head is still displeased with the steps he's taking and actively seeking to ruin his plans. And that makes him dangerous to both friends and foes. He couldn't take any chances and risk if it were to happen again. Needless to say, he peaced right the hell out of there. This is one of the main reasons he didn't reveal himself to Uriel until she found out herself. He didn't want to repeat the mistake he made with Azrael. But after their first meeting, find out was exactly what she had in mind (for those who don't know what I'm talking about in this paragraph, here's a fic I wrote a while back).

To be frank, Abaddon wasn't actually sure what on God's green earth he's doing and what he's trying to achieve (aside from figuratively spitting into Lucifer's face) but he knew he couldn't keep flying around and causing random violence, even if it was giving everyone the impression that he's completely out of his mind (which wasn't far from the truth) and more or less satisfying his darker counterpart, keeping it mostly quiet and content. He couldn't win this war alone. Abaddon was thinking about making allies with anyone he could or at least rallying the last of Heaven's forces. Unfortunately none of this was easy to accomplish. He was the Destroyer after all… No self-respecting angel would stand beside him without a good reason which he didn't have. Eventually, he decided to put the power Lilith bestowed upon him to use. To some extent, he started to understand Death. Once you view necromancy as a tool instead of an abhorrent crime against the natural order, it doesn't seem so despicable anymore. "Ends justify the means" yet again. Still, Abaddon was reluctant to resort to resurrecting corpses. Though, for different reasons... It reminds him of the promise he'd made a long time ago. One he broke out of cowardice.

Even with a small army of the living dead, the task Abaddon had designated for himself was going to be challenging. But this particular archangel is nothing if not one of the most stubborn creatures in the Universe. He was going to do whatever it takes to see it to the end. Even if his sanity and control he once held over his fate continued to slip through his fingers and slowly but surely leave him. Every day he lives through, his mind remains in the perpetual state of a constant struggle between the Light and Dark in his soul as he strives to fight the evil that has taken root within him.

And that will be it for now (I ran out of space, goddamnit 😂). If I have any new ideas I'll make sure to share them. Feel free to ask like I said above!

I'm gonna have to take a break from painting. It was draining but damn if it wasn't satisfying! Especially the last one. I'll have to sit down and finally write this fic cus I'm a dumbass who is insecure about the garbage I make even though some people still love it 😆

(Also, on the side note, screw that sword and all those bloody runes. They look amazing but painting them sucks ass XDD)

P.S. I found a song I associate with that fic :D

"Not gonna die" by Skillet, it's rad as heck.