Wrath and Ruin

As he thrust his spear into the demon, Imperius realized that he didn't know its name.

He also realized that he shouldn't care, but how strange that actually was. Demons were foul, arrogant, and individualistic. If they had a name, they would declare it. Even those who worked in the shadows wanted their foes to know who was responsible for the misery they caused. But this demon, this brutish, bladed, grinning demon (grinning, despite having Solarion stuck in its gut), had remained silent the entire time.

"You struck well."

Silent until now.

"For an angel."

And the Archangel of Valour withdrew his blade. The demon stumbled down, its black blood running into the barren soil of Pandemonium. Its kin were in retreat. It would die alone. It would perish, and eventually form again the fires of Hell, but for now, he could take solace in knowing that for the immediate future, the Demonic Hordes were one demon short.

I should go, Imperius told himself, gazing up at the sky, watching as the Heavenly Host delivered justice to their foes, blessed with the wisdom of their cause in the hope fate would be fulfilled. The battle needs me.

"Do you not wish to join you kin?" the demon asked. "Surely they have need of your services."

Imperius grasped his spear again. It was ridiculous to suppose that the demon could read his mind. But it seemed just as strange that it would be so…calm. Demons hated angels as much as angels hated demons. So close to death, Imperius expected some of that hatred to be coming through. But no, the demon just lay there. Smiling. As if it had won.

"Who are you?" the archangel whispered. "What lord do you serve?"

"The Lord of Sin."

"Then your cause is in vain. His minions flee from battle."

"And why do you not join them?"

"Because I would know the name of my enemy. So that when we meet again, when I strike you down again, I can name and curse you. As you will name and curse me."

"I already curse you, Imperius. But why should I? After all, I am you."

"Lies!" the archangel yelled, thrusting his spear back into the demon. "I am Imperius! I am the Archangel of Valour! I am-"

"Wrath," the demon whispered, still smiling despite having Solarion thrust into it again. "That is what you are, Imperius. Wrath. And therefore, I am you."

"What?!"

"I am the Lord of Wrath," the demon whispered. "One of the seven Lieutenants of Sin. You and I…we are the same."

Imperius flung the demon to the ground. He put a foot on its neck before it could speak further.

"You are weak," the angel whispered. "Your wrath is lacking."

Despite the foot, the demon laughed…barely. "Who said you saw my wrath today? No…you will imagine it. Dream of it. Become it." It spat blood at the angel. "That is my wrath, angel. On your mind. Your soul. Your-"

With a roar, Imperius grabbed the demon's head. With a roar, it ripped it from the demon's shoulders. With a howl, he watched as its body and head faded away, leaving only blood on the ground.

And his hands as well.

A/N

I'm hoping that under the assumption Diablo continues beyond Diablo III and its expansions, we might get to see the rest of the Sin Lieutenants. I mean, we don't have to fight against Diablo himself each game...just saying...

And it would allow me to ascribe a name to the Wrath one, so there's that too. :)