Samael's Final Stand

Before the Apocalypse the arch devil Asmodeus had attempted a coup to overthrow Lucifer for the title of Satan. When he failed Lucifer captured his forces and chief generals. Realizing Asmodeus was too much of a threat to both Heaven and Hell Michael agreed to imprison the arch devil and his generals in the Abyss, a fate awaiting Lucifer.

Thousands of years later, near the conclusion of the Apocalypse, Michael had captured Lucifer's forces and it appeared Heaven had won the war. But Asmodeus had prepared for this eventuality and when the great seal of the Abyss was broken the arch devil and his generals escaped. During this chaotic incursion Michael lost control of Lucifer, who likewise escaped and made one final attempt on Heaven. Although Lucifer's last stand failed and resulted in his soul's demise he did succeed in destroying Heaven, with only a few arch angels surviving.

Without Heaven's guidance Michael and the arch angels were lost in a state of confusion. Many feared God would return and punish them for their failure, while others believed God had simply abandoned them. Michael feared the situation was even more grim.

After the War of the Giants a primary role of the Angel of Death was to vanquish non-terrestrial beings from Earth. Death's alignment has remained neutral and never opinionated toward Heaven or Hell. Whether a non-terrestrial being is of Heaven or Hell is not relevant. Michael knew sooner or later Death would come for them and a plan was made to imprison him and thus save their lives, for the Apocalypse had destroyed both Heaven and Hell. Demon and Angel alike were exiled to Earth.

As for Asmodeus and his generals the arch devil played it wise. To avoid Death he had gone into hiding, a fact Michael used in his plan to lure Samael into his trap.

Convincing the Angel of Death that Asmodeus and his generals had taken refuge within the confines of an ancient cathedral Michael sprung his trap. On holy ground Samael had no powers of Death and could only fight for his life as an angel. Even virtually powerless Samael was still more of a match for the arch angels. And though he was able to defeat them it cost him his own life when Michael enchanted Malach Hamavet to sleep, reading from the Greater Key of Solomon. Bonded in symbiosis with the sword Samael sustained a final blow from Michael and entered an enchanted sleep as Michael himself died at his feet.

While he slept Samael perished from his injuries. To return to the physical world he would need a physical body. Thus the sword of Death waited for Damien Ferro.

Study by Simeonov, before Eberl.

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.

The Apocalypse

The world of Damien Ferro is a dangerous place. We are given to understand that, like in the movie The Road Warrior, there was a great nuclear war and as a result the Earth has suffered for it. Damien discovers the truth is even more fantastic. As Humanity was fighting its war so too was Heaven and Hell. Cannibals and mutants now roam free range, and violent gangs ride from city to city in search of gas, oil, food and any clean source of uncontaminated water. Surviving day to day is all anyone can do. Survivors take refuge in what remains of dilapidated cities while others cower in hiding. Trees and vegetation are scarce. The sun beats down on the surface to punish the inhabitants for tearing away some of the Earth's protective atmosphere.

Yes. Heaven and Hell finally had their war. And Earth was the battlefield. As a result there is no longer a Heaven to aspire to, nor a Hell to be condemned to after death. Only Earth.

There were yet a few survivors of the Great Apocalypse of Heaven and Hell. While the remaining forces of Heaven acted against Samael (the Angel of Death) to imprison him and secure their own survival, six demons of Hell fled. The Angels of Heaven perished at Death's sword (Malach Hamavet). But as Samael struck the last of the angels Michael gave his life by enchanting Malach Hamavet into a sleep. Michael knew both Samael and Malach Hamavet were as one and the real source of power was the sword. As Michael died and Death's sword entered sleep Samael posed himself amongst the corpses of the angels into a position of readiness, knowing that someday the sword would awaken and he would resume his task of ridding the Earth of the six demons that had escaped him. Until Death has claimed the spirit of each demon the Earth will remain a desolate wasteland.      


When Damien Ferro encountered the Temple of Death he was fleeing for his life. Malach Hamavet sensed something in him. He had committed many sins himself, but it was the love of Monica that made him want to be a better Human Being. When she was taken from him he wanted more than revenge. He wanted justice. And maybe some sort of peace in the world.

The sword of Death called to Damien Ferro and when he took it in his hand he felt the whole of eternity rush throughout his entire being. In a very painful instant he was transformed into the Angel of Death. Now his soul is inhabited by Samael and Malach Hamavet. And the six demons who escaped Death before know he has awakened in the body of a mortal man.

Additional info Concerning the Apocalypse in Fiction


Numerous societies, including the Babylonian and Judaic traditions, have produced apocalyptic literature and mythology, some of which dealt with the end of the world and of human society. The scriptural story of Noah and his Ark describes the end of a corrupt civilization and its replacement with a remade world. The first centuries AD saw the creation of various apocalyptic works; the best known (due to its inclusion in the New Testament) is the Book of Revelation (from which the word apocalypse originated, meaning "revelation of secrets"), which is replete with prophecies of destruction. In the study of religious works, apocalyptic texts or stories, are those that disclose hidden secrets either by taking an individual literally into the heavens or into the future. Most often these revelations about heaven and the future are used to explain why some currently occurring event is taking place.

The first work of modern apocalyptic fiction in English may be Mary Shelley's 1826 novel The Last Man, in which the last portion becomes the story of a man living in a future world emptied of humanity by plague. Containing recognizable elements of this subgenre, the novel is sometimes considered the first science fiction novel, though that distinction is more often given to Shelley's earlier, more famous novel, Frankenstein.

The period of the Cold War saw increased interest in this subgenre, as the threat of nuclear warfare became real. Paul Brians published Nuclear Holocausts: Atomic War in Fiction, a study that examines atomic war in short stories, novels, and films between 1895 and 1984. Since this measure of destruction was no longer imaginary, some of these new works, such as Mordecai Roshwald's Level 7, Nevil Shute's On the Beach and Pat Frank's Alas, Babylon, shun the imaginary science and technology that are the identifying traits of general science fiction. Others include more fantastic elements, such as mutants, alien invaders, or exotic future weapons such as James Axler's Deathlands. A seminal work in this subgenre was Walter M. Miller, Jr.'s A Canticle for Leibowitz (1959), in which a recrudescent Church (Catholic or other), pseudo-medieval society, and rediscovery of the knowledge of the pre-holocaust world are central themes. Russell Hoban's Riddley Walker (1980) also has religious or mystical themes. Also, Orson Scott Card's post-apocalyptic anthology The Folk of the Fringe deals with America post nuclear war.

James Howard Kunstler has written a novel World Made By Hand that imagines life in upstate New York after a declining world oil supply has wreaked havoc on the US economy and people and society are forced to adjust to daily life without cheap oil.

David Graham also explored a similar theme in his 1982 book Sidewall in which the world is forced to look for alternatives to oil when OPEC cuts production for political purposes. The story covers the construction of a nuclear powered, near-supersonic ocean-going craft and the attempts to stop it by various terrorist groups and nations in order to keep the world dependent on oil.

Alex Scarrow has written a two-novel series (Book one: Last Light, Book two: Afterlight) about a full-scale disruption to the world's oil supplies, and the fallout effects experienced by the populace. The first novel is set during the initial crisis, while the second is set 10 years after.

The Road Warrior

The world is described as "crumbled and...the cities have exploded"; there have been uprisings and social disorder due to energy shortages; and that "two mighty warrior tribes" had gone to war. The governments attempted to restore order, but life has become a "whirlwind of looting and a firestorm of fear, in which men began to feed on men."

Six Demons of the Apocalypse - Lilith

 

According to Jewish folklore, she is the first wife of Adam in the Garden of Eden. Lilith demands full equality. When she is denied it, she leaves. Jewish legend has vilified her as the demon queen of the night who kills newborns and mothers. She is a seductive figure with long hair who can fly and seduce men in their sleep.

For Damien this spirit is going to cause the most trouble in his soul. Once, long ago, she was the lover of Samael (AKA Malach Hamavet - the Angel of Death).

Lilith in the Bible

There is an ongoing scholarly debate as to whether the concept of Lilith occurs in the Bible. The only possible occurrence is in the Book of Isaiah 34:13-15, describing the desolation of Edom, where the Hebrew word lilit (or lilith) appears in a list of eight unclean animals, some of which may have demonic associations. Since the word lilit (or lilith) is a hapax legomenon in the Hebrew Bible and the other seven terms in the list are better documented, the reading of scholars and translators is often guided by a decision about the complete list of eight creatures as a whole. Quoting from Isaiah 34 (NAB):

    (12) Her nobles shall be no more, nor shall kings be proclaimed there; all her princes are gone. (13) Her castles shall be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She shall become an abode for jackals and a haunt for ostriches. (14) Wildcats shall meet with desert beasts, satyrs shall call to one another; There shall the lilith repose, and find for herself a place to rest. (15) There the hoot owl shall nest and lay eggs, hatch them out and gather them in her shadow; There shall the kites assemble, none shall be missing its mate. (16) Look in the book of the LORD and read: No one of these shall be lacking, For the mouth of the LORD has ordered it, and his spirit shall gather them there. (17) It is he who casts the lot for them, and with his hands he marks off their shares of her; They shall possess her forever, and dwell there from generation to generation.

Kabbalah

Kabbalistic mysticism attempted to establish a more exact relationship between Lilith and the Deity. With her major characteristics having been well-developed by the end of the Talmudic period, after six centuries had elapsed between the Aramaic incantation texts that mention Lilith and the early Spanish Kabbalistic writings in the 13th century, she reappears, and her life history becomes known in greater mythological detail.

Her creation is described in many alternative versions. One mentions her creation as being before Adam's, on the fifth day, because the "living creatures" with whose swarms God filled the waters included none other than Lilith. A similar version, related to the earlier Talmudic passages, recounts how Lilith was fashioned with the same substance as Adam was, shortly before. A third alternative version states that God originally created Adam and Lilith in a manner that the female creature was contained in the male. Lilith's soul was lodged in the depths of the Great Abyss. When God called her, she joined Adam. After Adam's body was created a thousand souls from the Left (evil) side attempted to attach themselves to him. However, God drove them off. Adam was left lying as a body without a soul. Then a cloud descended and God commanded the earth to produce a living soul. This God breathed into Adam, who began to spring to life and his female was attached to his side. God separated the female from Adam's side. The female side was Lilith, whereupon she flew to the Cities of the Sea and attacks humankind. Yet another version claims that Lilith was not created by God, but emerged as a divine entity that was born spontaneously, either out of the Great Supernal Abyss or out of the power of an aspect of God (the Gevurah of Din). This aspect of God, one of his ten attributes (Sefirot), at its lowest manifestation has an affinity with the realm of evil and it is out of this that Lilith merged with Samael. According to The Alphabet of Ben-Sira Lilith was Adam's first wife.

An alternative story links Lilith with the creation of luminaries. The "first light," which is the light of Mercy (one of the Sefirot), appeared on the first day of creation when God said "Let there be light." This light became hidden and the Holiness became surrounded by a husk of evil. ”A husk (klippa) was created around the brain" and this husk spread and brought out another husk, which was Lilith.

Study by Simeonov, before Eberl.

In the Beginning...

Damien Ferro represents a labor of love that spans many years. I feel it's important to share his inspirations, of which there are many.

Post-apocalyptic fiction has been popular in literature for a long time. But it wasn't until recent decades that it really came into its own, due in part to cinema. During the Atomic Age writers began to fictionalize a world ravaged by all manner of destruction. On film and in print.

Damien owes his existence to a number of sources. There are many you will recognize. Two in particular stand out: The Road Warrior and Conan The Barbarian. The movie Conan the Barbarian is not post-apocalyptic fiction, of course. But it is a great source for inspiration.

Another comparison that cannot help to be made is that of Marvel's Ghost Rider. I admit it. I love the image of the Angel of Death on a cool motorcycle. Although Marvel's Ghost Rider is not Death but the Spirit of Vengeance.

So those are three sources that are very obvious. But there are more: Fist of the North Star, Heavy Metal, Dante's Inferno, Paradise Lost - to name a few.

As the story unfolds we are going to see lots of things we recognize but it is with purpose. For one, the apocalypse itself. Many of this work's inspirations elaborate on what caused the apocalypse. Here, there is a brief nod to war but really the reason for the apocalypse is just not important. This story is not about the apocalypse. This story is about a struggling world After the Apocalypse. Death has a job to do and Damien Ferro is the unfortunate soul who now has the responsibility of collecting six evil spirits that haunt this world. And if Humanity has any hope of survival it is in Damien Ferro.