The archangel Michael’s expression contorted to shock. The news had reached him – The Garden of Eden has been tainted. He turned to look at the courier that brought him the news. “Come again?”
For a moment, there was silence, and the weight of the revelation hung heavy in the air. What did it mean for the Garden of Eden to be "tainted"? The Heavenly Father’s purest creations... Tainted? The courier looked up at Michael. “Y-yes, Archangel. The Garden of Eden has been overrun by sinners who spout the devil’s word… That was what I said.”
His heart dropped, and he immediately unfurled his wings, thanking the courier before launching into the skies. "TAINTED? OVERRUN BY SINNERS?"
Descending through the clouds, Michael arrived at the entrance of the sacred garden. His eyes darted around, surveying the landscape, and yet, from where he stood, he saw the corruption. “This is impossible.” He tried to convince himself, yet walking through the stone path, he felt it all around him—the crunch of soil beneath his feet, the only sounds that remained; no longer were there lives here. Flowers and trees dropped as the toxins killed them off, their beautiful shades tainted by the poison of the serpent.
But his eyes remained locked to a certain tree in the distance, and his heart sank further as he beheld the damage inflicted upon God’s creation.
As he approached the heart of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge slowly withered. The Archangel’s eyes softened with sorrow. The whispers of deceit, the suffocating tendrils of sin, had infiltrated the roots of the sacred tree, its fruits laid half-eaten at its feet. Poison coursed through its veins; he could not bear to see… He could not bear to see this.
The archangel unsheathed his sword – he felt anger; the blade was forged to bring justice, yearning to cleanse the blight that now spread like cancer. And yet, in that moment, Michael hesitated; he could sense the presence of the sinners hidden among the shadows.
Closing his eyes, Michael sought guidance from the heavens. A silent plea to the One above. And yet… Like the garden, there was silence; why? Had the poison spread so much that not even God could hear him here?
~
But the Archangel knew what the Creator would say – Observe, for redemption may yet bloom in the unlikeliest of hearts. If that was His will, then it is. With a heavy sigh, Michael sheathed his blade, choosing to observe silently instead, perched upon the branches of the now tainted Tree of Knowledge.
Days turned to nights in the Garden of Eden, and Michael’s presence wore thin. The poison had only continued to spread; the grass had turned gray and withered, the flowers all decayed. By that point, the tree had lost all of its leaves, and each passing moment felt like a wound inflicted on himself. Unable to endure the slow demise of Eden any longer, the Archangel made a reluctant decision.
Ascending through the skies, he emerged into Heaven. The heavenly choir paused in their eternal song. Michael unfurled his wings once more. Oh, how beautiful was the familiarity of home.
He approached the light, “Heavenly Father, the Garden of Eden is being consumed by darkness. I can no longer stand idly and watch it crumble. The time for observation has passed; action must be taken; these sinners must be banished from the gates.” Michael descended once more, catching the wind and leading himself to his brothers, meeting with the Archangels – Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Sariel, Raguel, Joel, and Ramiel. They must act.
“My comrades…” Michael spoke, “The Garden of Eden is in peril. The poison of sin, the twisted words of the daemon… It seeps into the sacred ground. We cannot allow this blight to spread further. We must prepare for war.”
The army of angels had assembled, and the legions were ready to descend onto the sinners. Michael turned to the Creator’s throne. With a resolute heart, the archangel spread his wings wide, and the army of angels followed suit.
The battle for the Garden of Eden had begun.

The Archangels assembled. The atmosphere tense.
Michael addressed the assembly, "Listen, my comrades. The Garden of Eden is in ruins, and we can't afford to stand by idly any longer. We need a plan, a strategy to root out these sinners and cleanse the corruption that festers within."
Raphael, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and readiness, spoke up, "We can't just descend without knowing what we're up against. These sinners have tainted the very essence of Eden. We need to understand their numbers, their strengths, and their weaknesses."
Gabriel raised his eyebrows at Michael, skeptic at their approach. "Tactics matter, Michael. Blind righteousness won't win this battle. We should strike when they least expect it, catch them off guard."
Michael nodded in agreement, "Gabriel's right. We can't afford to underestimate them. Uriel, what do you see when you gaze into the abyss below?"
Uriel closed his eyes, focusing on the events unfolding in the tainted Garden. "I sense deception, Archangel. Their numbers are greater than we initially thought."
Sariel, the contemplative one, spoke slowly, "Perhaps a more covert approach is needed. We could infiltrate their ranks, understand their motives, and exploit their weaknesses from within."
Raguel glared at them, "Enough deliberation. Let's not forget the stakes. If we don't act decisively, Eden may be lost forever. I say we confront them head-on, show them the consequences of defying the Creator." Clenching his fists.
Joel interjected, breaking up the argument before it happens. "A direct assault may lead to unnecessary casualties on both sides. We need a surgical strike, precise and calculated. Let's strike at the heart of their corruption without escalating the conflict further."
Michael, absorbing the diverse opinions, acknowledged, "Very well, I believe you all understand your roles here." He took a glance at the map one last time. "Eden will be reclaimed."
~
In the armory, the archangels oversaw the preparation of the angelic legions, it was clear the mood was high. The rhythmic clinking of armor and the hum of celestial weapons being unsheathed echoed through the expansive chamber. Rows of angels all assembled.
Michael, standing at the forefront, addressed the assembled armies. "Brothers and sisters, the Garden of Eden is tainted, and we must reclaim it. Our purpose is to restore balance and offer redemption where possible."
Gabriel, studying the map of the corrupted Garden, directed the forces. "Raphael, your angels are our eyes and ears. Think of yourselves as heavenly spies. If anyone asks, just tell them you're on an intelligence mission."
Raphael chuckled, "Sure, Gabriel. Heaven's own version of a secret agent. I hope I get a cool code name."
Raguel could not suppress his laugh, "When the time comes, my warriors will make an entrance that'll put even the best action heroes to shame. But let's keep the explosions to a minimum – we're here to reclaim Eden, not film a blockbuster."
Amidst the serious preparations, a few angels exchanged amused glances at the celestial banter. The armory buzzed with activity, as angels inspected their armor, sharpened their blades, and shared light-hearted banter.
Even amidst the struggle, the angels found moments of levity to keep their spirits high.
~
As the angelic legions descended onto the corrupted Garden of Eden, it was supposed to be a majestic moment, however, a few mischievous angels couldn't resist cracking jokes as they descended.
One angel nudged another, "I hope the sinners appreciate our dramatic entrance. Maybe we should have brought confetti."
A witty response echoed, "Confetti is so last eon. How about we bring heavenly disco balls next time?"
Their laughter resonated through the celestial atmosphere until Michael, leading the charge, cleared his throat. The angels fell silent, realizing it was time to set aside the banter and focus on the task at hand.
Michael's stern gaze swept over the legions, "We're here for a reason, let's stay focused, angels. The Garden of Eden needs our help, not our punchlines."
The angels straightened their wings, nodding in acknowledgment, as they approached the entrance of the tainted garden.
Raphael, ever the perceptive one, pointed to a group of sinners huddled in the shadows. "Looks like we've got company. Stealth team, take point. The rest, be ready for anything."
As the angels prepared to confront the sinners, Michael's gaze lingered on the withered Tree of Knowledge. It was almost time.
~
As Michael engaged the first sinner, their clash created shockwaves that resonated through the celestial realm. The sinner, fueled by dark intent, swung a corrupted blade with malicious precision. Michael parried with his gleaming sword, their clash echoing with the resonance of celestial might.
"Your rebellion ends here," Michael declared, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The sinner, defiant and consumed by darkness, sneered, "Eden belongs to us now. Your Creator can't save it."
With a swift motion, Michael disarmed the sinner, his righteous fury palpable. The fallen one recoiled. Yet, the battle raged on.
In the midst of the chaos, a group of sinners ambushed Michael. Blades clashed, and the air crackled with energy as they sought to overwhelm the archangel. Michael's wings moved with grace, deflecting strikes effortlessly.
"Are you so blinded by your rebellion that you can't see the consequences?" Michael questioned, parrying a flurry of attacks.
One sinner, more cunning than the rest, smirked, "Consequences? We've embraced the darkness, and in it, we find our true power."
A surge of dark energy emanated from the sinner's weapon, threatening to overpower Michael. With a determined grit, the archangel countered, his sword ablaze with divine light. The clash reached its climax, leaving the sinner defeated.
As Michael surveyed the ongoing conflict, a particularly formidable sinner emerged, wielding corrupted magic. Dark tendrils snaked through the air, seeking to ensnare the archangel. Michael deftly dodged, each movement a dance with death.
"You fight to preserve a dying realm, Archangel," the sinner taunted. "We bring change, the evolution of creation."
Michael's response was swift and resolute, "Change should come from within, not through corruption. You've lost sight of what truly matters."
Their battle escalated, with Michael unleashing celestial energy to counter the sinner's dark arts. The very ground beneath them trembled as their powers clashed. The sinner, though formidable, could not withstand the unwavering resolve of the archangel.
With a final, decisive strike, Michael vanquished the sinner. The dark magic dissipated, the Archangel turned to his comrades, and nodded.
He had a job to do.
~
At the heart of the Garden of Eden, Michael confronted the embodiment of corruption – the serpent itself. The air crackled with an eerie energy as the archangel locked eyes with the devil, its form coiled around the withered Tree of Knowledge.
"Michael, my old friend," the serpent hissed, its voice a venomous whisper. "You've come to salvage what's left of this dying realm. How noble."
Michael tightened his grip on his sword, the blade pulsating with divine light. "Your corruption ends here. Eden will not be your playground."
The serpent unfurled, revealing its monstrous form. Its eyes glowed with malevolence, and a wicked smile crept across its serpentine face.
The serpent lashed out with incredible speed, its movements unpredictable. Yet Michael dodged the strikes, his wings propelling him with grace, just barely escaping the poison.
"I've watched civilizations crumble under the weight of their desires," the serpent taunted, its words dripping with deceit. "Eden is no exception. The Creator's little experiment has gone awry."
Michael parried the serpent's strikes, his expression unyielding. "Your lies won't save you. Eden will be purged of your corruption."
The serpent's tail whipped through the air, creating shockwaves that reverberated through the battleground. Michael responded with parries, he couldn't help but feel he has been here before.
As the battle intensified, the serpent conjured illusions – twisted visions of paradise tainted by darkness. Michael, momentarily disoriented, fought against the illusions, his resolve tested by the serpent's deceptive tactics.
"You see, Michael," the serpent hissed, "it's not about good or evil. It's about power, about embracing one's desires without remorse. Eden was a canvas, and I painted it with the colors of temptation."
The archangel's eyes flashed with determination. He dispelled the illusions, his sword glowing brighter with celestial energy. "Eden was a gift, not your canvas. Your corruption will not define its legacy."
The serpent's form contorted, its movements becoming more erratic. It unleashed tendrils of dark energy, attempting to ensnare Michael. The archangel danced between the shadows, avoiding the malevolent grasp.
In a moment of divine inspiration, Michael invoked the Creator's power. His sword blazed with an intensity that surpassed the serpent's darkness. "I carry the divine light, the very essence that birthed creation. Your reign of corruption ends now!"
With a resounding strike, Michael cleaved through the serpent's form, dispelling the darkness that clung to Eden. The serpent writhed in agony, its illusions shattered, and its power waning.
"You thought corruption could eclipse the Creator's light," Michael declared, his voice unwavering. "But even in the darkest depths, light prevails."
The serpent, weakened and defeated, slithered away into the shadows. Michael stood before the now-purified Tree of Knowledge, its withered branches showing signs of rejuvenation.

Wounded and weary from his battle with the serpent, Michael stumbled upon the scene of victory where the other angels, under the leadership of the archangels, had successfully defeated the remaining sinners. The air was heavy with the aftermath of the struggle.
Raphael, Uriel, Gabriel, Sariel, Raguel, Joel, and Ramiel gathered around their battle-weary leader. Michael's armor bore the scars of the conflict, and his wings, though majestic, drooped with fatigue.
Raphael, ever the healer, rushed forward. "Michael, you look like you've been through the celestial wringer. Let me tend to your wounds."
Michael managed a weary smile. "There's no time for that, Raphael. We need to decide what comes next."
Gabriel, with a contemplative expression, spoke up, "The sinners have been vanquished, and the serpent is no more. Eden is purged of corruption, but the wounds run deep. We must ensure it remains protected."
"We can't let this happen again. We need a guardian, someone to watch over Eden and ensure that the shadows don't creep back in." Sariel added.
Uriel stepped forward. "I will take on that responsibility. I shall remain the eternal watcher, guarding the gates of Eden against the shadows."
Raguel nodded in agreement. "Uriel, your vigilance will be the shield that guards against corruption. We can't let Eden fall prey to the whims of the fallen."
Ramiel, the silent observer, spoke for the first time, "Let it be so. Uriel shall be the gatekeeper of Eden. Our duty doesn't end with the battle; it extends to the aftermath."
With a collective nod, the archangels reached a unanimous decision.