Abilities and Powers

It is important to note exactly what it is that Death is capable of. More so, what Damien Ferro is capable of now that he is the embodiment of Death.

While our hero does have the potential for much power that power is nonetheless limited, if for no other reason than the fact that Samael is possessing a mortal human.

We must first realize that while Damien may have access to these powers he is not, as of yet, aware of what he may be capable of.

The Sword of Death

Malach Hamavet is more than a weapon or tool. It is, in fact, the very essence of Death and is bonded to Samael. In chapter one we learn that the body of Samael is now a corpse after the War of Heaven and Hell (the Apocalypse). But the spirit (or the soul) of the Angel of Death is very much alive. Without a physical body Samael is unable to move throughout the physical world. Michael knew this when he enchanted the sword to sleep. As Samael moved his body into a position of readiness (knowing his form would rot) he knew someday Malach Hamavet would find a new host. In a new host-body the Angel of Death would rise again.

It is unknown what the sword would have done if Damien had been unwilling. Possibly it would have continued to sleep. As it is, the sword sensed a worthiness in Damien and transferred the soul of Samael into Damien's body.

At the height of his most powerful during the Apocalypse Samael was able to claim the spirits (souls) of the most powerful beings. In the body of a new host he must now start out at his weakest.

Primary Executions

As a magical and holy implement Malach Hamavet is the power of Death. There are three primary means of execution.

1) Fire: Produced by means of slashing the air Death's Fire can exist anywhere in Time and Space (even in water and ice) and will consume its target near-instantly. When caught in Death's Fire the target will experience an eternity of pain and be turned to ash.

2) Ice: By hacking downward as if to behead a victim Death can consume a target with ice (even through flames). Death's Ice can be isolated over one portion of a target or the entire target itself. As with Death's Fire if a target is consumed by Death's Ice they will experience an eternity of pain, from which there is no escape.

3) Evaporation: By simply piercing a target Death can exhibit mercy and the victim will die instantly by evaporating into the air. This is Death's most common kill.

Not all hacks, slashes and piercings by Death produce these executions. Death must will these special attacks.

Secondary Executions

If Death has need to execute and collect multiple souls at once the sword can be used to create a small or massive Death Wave. In the physical world it will only appear as a wind. Targets affected by this wind will experience their souls being ripped from their bodies.

Death Rain: A slower means of execution. When Death summons rain the affected area is much greater and the means of termination is slow. The rain itself will act as an all-consuming acid, destroying every living thing it comes in contact with.

Lightning: When Death summons lightning the affected targets can be many or single. Termination is instant.

Mist, Fog, Vapor: As suggested, when Death summons a mist, fog or vapor (or form in the likeness of such) the affected area is blanketed and victims suffer horrible afflictions to their bodies before asphixiation. This method of execution can also be used as an odorless, sightless gas.

Death's Touch: While not common (nor used toward affecting many), Death can claim a soul mercifully with a single touch of either the sword or by hand. In the past Samael has been known to smack a victim with Malach Hamavet and cause the soul to be ejected from the body. Though if Death were to be merciful he may simply touch a victim, which in appearance may act as sleep. When the soul awakens next to its own body Death may escort it to the After World. However, Samael has also been known to reach into a victim's body and forcibly remove its soul.

Explosion: The most rare and costly means of execution. During the Apocalypse Death had no need for this method. All nuclear explosions were caused by humanity. Nation against nation. But there have been few cases in which Death caused an explosion that was so powerful it destroyed entire cities. As an angel Samael could rarely suffer the need for the means of this execution. it is unclear if Damien Ferro could manage to wield Malach Hamavet to this purpose, much less survive its use. I.E., the actual explosion.

Transformation

As a mortal host Damien has no actual power while in human form. Currently he is not aware that his life has been greatly extended to near-immortality. His physical body benefits tremendously. He is immune to all illnesses and diseases. His stamina and endurance have greatly risen above that of normal men, and his strength has increased. This does not make him invulnerable. In fact he is susceptible to magic and sacred or holy objects. On holy ground he is powerless and cannot transform into the Angel of Death.

When Damien is in human form Malach Hamavet is resting in the palm of his left hand in the spirit world and is unseen in the physical world. To activate the transformation all he needs to do is clench his fist around the hilt of the sword. This is not a simple thing to do. If Damien were to attempt to use the sword unjustly or for murder he would not be able to transform. And the sword has a will of its own. When in the presence of evil Malach Hamavet burns in Damien's hand and can activate the transformation on its own.

The Price

Damien is a mortal man and not an immortal angel. As such, the use of the power of Death takes its toll on his body. When Damien's body can take no more the sword triggers a safety protocol that forces its host into a coma-like state. The longer he has been in his Death form as the Angel of Death and the more he has used Death's power the longer he will sleep. But Damien's body is changing. It is uncertain if someday he will be able to permanently sustain the form of Death, but as he grows stronger Samael grows weaker. This is a fact the host is not aware of but one the angel will need to one day reconcile.