Empyrean Steel

"And the Lord said: 'Let there be metal made from my grace, so that you might smite your enemies with holy vigor, sending them beyond the depths of Hell, into the abyss.' So there was, and its name was Empyrean Steel" -Bonanni Translation Bible; Bonanni 1 1:14

Empyrean Steel is a magical and holy metal material created by God in the Empyrean Heaven, the highest level of Paradise. Empyrean Steel is the solidified Will of God Himself, created with the sole intent of being able to harm and kill Celestial beings, including Angels, Demons, and gods permanently, even while on Earth, so that they might never have the chance to return. Empyrean Steel can kill Demons in one (1) hit, regardless of the wound suffered, permanently; no Demon can come back from being killed with Empyrean, as its holy essence obliterates the energy inside the Demon and vanquishes them, unable to be resurrected. Damage inflicted upon other powerful supernatural entities is far more than can be inflicted by mundane or magical weapons of most kinds, but Empyrean Steel is particularly harmful towards Demons and the forces of Hell. Anyone killed by Empyrean Steel cannot be brought back, even as an Undead, as all energy and Souls in their bodies are immediately destroyed by the metal's inherent magical properties. Empyrean Steel is opposed directly by Antythean Steel.

### Properties:

Empyrean Steel is most known for its anomalous aspects. Most prominently, Empyrean Steel is capable of killing Demons and similarly evil entities in a single blow, regardless of the depth of the wound; Empyrean Steel deals significant damage to even Demonic Nobles and Demon Kings. The metal is also nigh-unbreakable, but is known to break and become mundane steel should the wielder use it unjustly; only powerful Magic to rival deities and Antythean Steel can break Empyrean Steel. Those who are slain by Empyrean Steel do not go to an Afterlife; their Souls and very essence are obliterated by the Empyrean Steel. Those who wield Empyrean Steel are compelled to do good deeds, say good things, and become a better person; similarly, a mortal wielder of Empyrean Steel may be driven to change or ruin their lives in an attempt to improve their own morality, taking extreme and risky steps like diving away their belongings or quitting a job. Only Angels, Demons, and other Celestials are capable of ignoring these magical compulsions. Similarly, Empyrean Steel is known to become stronger when in the hands of someone of True Belief in God and His works; miracles, great skill, and feats of superhuman ability are common among those True Believers who wield Empyrean Steel. The metal is also an excellent conductor of Magic, and can act as a spellcasting focus in addition to a conduit for Rituals and spell deflection.

Empyrean Steel can only be forged in Heaven by a Celestial being of great power, often an Angel or God Himself. Following the Razing of Heaven, Empyrean Steel ceased being actively produced in Heaven, and so mankind and the Catholic Church suffered. The Catholic Church's Vatican Reliquary Initiative conducted thousands of rigorous experiments to recreate Empyrean Steel, eventually succeeding in its production through a specific holy Ritual of great Pantheonic Magic.