Michael

**Michael** is a major recurring character in the *Divine Comedy*.

He serves an unseen antagonist up until the finale of the first volume, the secondary antagonist during most of the second volume only to then become a supporting character in the finale of volume two and later the majority of volume three.

Michael is the mightiest archangel in all of Heaven and the eldest of God and Goddess's firstborn children. He is the older twin brother of Lucifer though despite being twins they have various contrasts in personality and appearance. He is often seen as God's most loyal soldier and is the one who banished Lucifer and Satan from Heaven after the war. Michael would also be tasked to lead the Exterminators during the annual purging of sinners in Hell.

## History

### Background

Michael was created at the same time as Lucifer, being among the firstborn children of God and Goddess with Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel in tow. Michael and his siblings aided their parents in the Genesis Jam, bringing the universe all that is within it in proper order.

Michael would be the typical older brother of the group though he by no means bullies his siblings he is constantly making sure they do not get in trouble or has to separate quarrels between them. His biggest challenge would be his younger twin brother Lucifer who is always causing discord with his shenanigans. On several occasions Lucifer would drag Michael into being part of his mischief and there were times where Michael indulged himself or sat it out. Michael would usually be the main target of Lucifer's pranks as well and is the subject of teasing from Lucifer and his other siblings. Either way, Michael was very close with Lucifer and his siblings, being highly protective of them as well. He'd also train Lucifer in the art of combat.

Michael is also impeccably loyal to God, trying his best to present himself as a good son despite the fact that God clearly favored Lucifer. This would result in some straining between Michael and Lucifer though it was not severe. It only became so when Lucifer would vent to Michael (after separating him many times from God during one of their arguments) his frustrations about the way God's planning to put the "natural order" into motion. Michael would try to appease his brother and wait it out as their Father has a plan that will work out for everyone, but it would soon lose its effect as Lucifer grew more rebellious. This led to Michael personally meeting with his Father and asking why would Lucifer be so riled up about His grand work. Though he eavesdropped instead of being face to face, and heard somewhere along the line Michael would end up killing Lucifer much to his horror.

### War in Heaven

Michael went to Lucifer and could not bring himself to tell him what he heard and tried to spin it, but was forced to relent from Lucifer's pestering. When Michael finally revealed what he had heard from God which was that he might have to kill Lucifer in the future. Lucifer is distraught and infuriated, demanding to know what that meant. Thoughts about whether he is going to turn evil and what his Father's plans are for Lucifer and his siblings start to fill his head which culminates in Lucifer fully rebelling against God and Heaven.

Like many, Michael was shocked at the sudden attack from Lucifer and his rebel angels, forcing him to fight back with his own army consisting of the Heavenly Host loyal to God. Michael slaughtered many angels on Lucifer's side until he confronted Lucifer himself. The two fought in a grand battle which would end in Lucifer gradually being overwhelmed until Satan stepped in. However, even with two against one Michael still held the high ground as he was more skilled in combat and strategy than they are. Eventually, Michael defeated both Lucifer and Satan, deeply wounding them in the process. Lucifer goads Michael to kill him since he is a "loyal soldier and good puppet" but Michael hesitates and spares Lucifer until some of the hosts of Heaven apprehend him.

### Heaven's General

After the fall of Lucifer and the creation of Hell, Michael became an entirely different character. He no longer smiled or laughed and was deathly serious, a far outcry from his former personality where he used to smile and was outgoing in his own way. Michael became the chief of Heaven's armies and the strict and stern leader of the archangels. He held many duties and responsibilities such as battling extra-dimensional eldritch entities that threaten creation, overseeing Heaven's development/angels following their assigned duties, and slaying demons.

When the Extermination project was brought forth by Metatron and green-lit via contract between Hell and Heaven, Michael was tasked by Metatron to lead the Exterminator host to slay the overabundance of sinners that populated the Nine Circles of Hell. Michael's involvement in the annual Extermination garnered him a fearful reputation from Hell's residents where they compare him to the boogeyman that will descend from on high and drive his blade into their souls.

During an Extermination Event, Michael actually met a young Charlie who was no less than ten years old at the time but she did not recognize him as he wore his helm. Michael led the young the princess to a safe place and gave her an angelic dagger, showing her how to wield it before ominously telling that the world is not as pleasant as she believes it to be. His final words to her were to use the dagger at the appropriate time before he put her to a gentle sleep where her parents would eventually find her.

## Trivia

* Michael is based on the archangel of the same name found in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i faith where he is the chief of the angels and archangels and responsible for the care of Israel.
* His theme song would be "Hero" by Chad Kroeger.
* It is said that after the War in Heaven and the creation of Hell, Michael no longer smiles.
	+ The angels have grown so accustomed to Michael not smiling that the mere image of him smiling is unsettling for them.
* He does not like suits.
* Michael has a fondness for dogs as he occasionally thinks about what it would be like to have a dog by his side. This fondness is also displayed when he resists the urge to pet Asmodeus's Pomeranian.
* He is a fan of *The Silmarillion* by J.R.R. Tolkien.