Back in the desert, Svadilfari, Jahi, Ahriman, and Lucy were still trying to process what had just happened. Sandalphon had remained behind with them for protection. Loki, Pazuzu, Lamashtu's one-time slave-wives, and the others sat in the sand blinking as they processed their restored freedom.
"When do you think Enoch, Metatron, and Father Patrick will be back?" asked Svadilfari.
"Who can say?" Sandalphon shrugged. "I may be a prophet turned angel, but there are some things beyond even my sight. I know little of these sorcerers."
"I noticed Baal giving you some funny looks," said Ahriman. "Funny. He never seemed to have any problems with Michael."
"I was the Prophet Elijah when I was a human," said Sandalphon. "In those days, I campaigned against humans who worshiped Baal. Perhaps he assumes that this is some sign that I personally hate him."
"I still can't believe that miracle!" Lucy marveled. "Does this mean that Enoch's an angel now?"
"It does," said Sandalphon. "He now wields the same powers as his father did when he was an angel."
"So Enoch will be performing miracles like that all the time now?" asked Ahriman.
"Not like the one you just saw," laughed Sandalphon. "That was the result of thousands of years' worth of inner light built up inside Enoch being released at once. It takes A LOT of reserved power to expel so many Chaos entities, heal so many mutilated bodies, and sooth so many angry hearts. He would need to avoid using his powers for thousands of years to do something of that scale again. He's powerful, but he's not omnipotent. You'll note that even this mighty miracle had some limitation."
Ahriman and Svadilfar both glanced at their spouses' still-empty bellies. "I see what you mean," said Svadilfari. "Jahi and Loki's pregnancies were not restored."
"Miracles to revive dead demons or angels are rare and difficult," said Sandalphon. "Humans are easy. Our kind not so much. Such a miracle would require a mystic ritual that would take as long as a year to set up. And if the babies' souls were consumed by Chaos, then I think they may be gone for good. I'm sorry." The angel bowed his haloed head sadly.
"Then I guess Jahi and I will have to get started on a new baby soon," sighed Ahriman. "Hardly a disagreeable task, I suppose."
As Loki sat in the sand, he thought he should say something. His memory had mostly come back when Enoch had unleashed the built-up Lightbringer power. He knew that he was Loki Morningstar and that his husband was Svadilfari Spellhorn and everything like that. Nonetheless, the period from his capture to his rescue was a notable gap in his memory. Try as he might, he couldn't remember much from that time. Unfortunately, there was something that he felt had been said then that would be useful to his family. Too bad it was refusing to come to him.
"The sorcerers..." Loki said out loud. "I can't remember much about them, but I think they said they have a boss."
"Who?" Sandalphon asked, intrigued.
"I... can't remember the name," Loki groaned. "I got back all my memories from before they took me, but I can't remember much about my time in the cave. All I can say is that the name of their boss was familiar to me."
"It was probably Nergal," Ahriman guessed. "He's been nothing but trouble for a while now."
"I agree," Svadilfari nodded.
"That makes sense," Loki said thoughtfully. "I'm fairly certain he was the one who had my spy network wiped out, after all."
"I hope Baal and Alecto can rein him in," sighed Ahriman. "Who knows what that bastard can do in a climate of political unrest?"