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Melchiyahu did not grow visibly angry at the affront, though his son knew from long experience that his father concealed great wrath. The cherub only rose to his feet and said, "This hashmal I leave to you. Remember, son, that you will one day rule Salem."

When his father departed Melchizedek reached into his cloak and brandished a unique weapon given to him by the avatar of Bat-El herself. He called it the Killing Relic. In appearance it was like a gold ingot, or the handle of a blade. It was small enough to fit in Melchizedek's hand. With a firm squeeze a hissing black shaft emerged from the hilt to grow as long as an angel was tall.

"Say no more words in my presence," the ophan warned, shouting over the noise. "You would be cut in twain even as you spoke."

To affirm the truth of what he said, he sliced the corner of the massive and ornate stone table before Zadkiel as though it were made of bread. The severed piece fell to the floor with a solid thump and did not bounce once. Melchizedek had not felt the call to demonstrate the Relic since returning from the other world after his failure with Abram.

Melchizedek allowed the black rip in reality to fully retract and he continued, more quietly. "A horse shall be given to you with comestibles to see you to the first outpost thirty leagues east of Salem. Tarry you there. A herald shall follow after Cherub Melchiyahu has heard this Michael preach.

"But you, Hashmal Zadkiel, must never return to this city. If your master inquires, tell him the Lord of Salem will gladly receive an ambassador who comports himself with the basic rudiments of court etiquette in the presence of an Adanite cherub."

After that Melchiyahu sent his daughter Lilith to bid the prophet Michael to visit the court in Salem and preach what he would, yet it was no sovereign decree, and Michael agreed to come only if the encounter was open for any of the people to witness. So Melchiyahu prepared the amphitheater where he thrilled visiting nobles with exhibitions of combat.

Lilith attended as well, dressed for once like an Ophan. These were the words Michael spoke in Salem as the white and orange suns sank in the west. In years after the sermon was remembered as the Sunset Discourse.