Samuel faded in and out of consciousness. It was hard to stay awake, but sleep wouldn't bring him any relief either. The corruption churned inside him like a hand stirring his soul. It made him miserable, even as he prayed for redemption. He prayed to be saved. He prayed to God to be taken from this place. Even if he was condemned to earth, it was better than all this pain and suffering and evil. The mute demons had come to douse him again, though it hadn't been much. It was always so much. Demon semen, demon blood, mixed with his sweat and tears and his own blood. He sobbed and sagged in his chains. There was that festering part of him that wanted to just give in. But Samuel didn't know how long he'd been down here. What would happen if he did Fall? He imagined he would become some evil, decrepit creature. The demons made it sound like a wonderful experience, but evil always lied.<br/><br/>Michael had told him what happened when angels fell. It was a disturbing notion. Sam let out a frustrated sound. "God give me strength." He'd begged the demons at the beginning. Begged them to leave him alone. But Isael had made sure to hand him over to a more powerful demon, one who wouldn't be swayed or bribed. No. Asmodeus only wanted his unconditionally surrender. He pulled on the chains, so hard he could hear them creak against the wall. But then he felt his shoulder pop back out of place and whimpered in pain. "Please God don't let me stay here. I'll stay on Earth. I'll do anything." But that's when he sensed it again. That familiarity, that knowing that he had had hours earlier. He remembered hearing the conversation, remembered Baleon saying something about how similar in appearance this other creature was. Was he really a Fallen? In truth, Samuel couldn't sense that. Not readily. There was so much corruption within him that everything was so muddled and confusing. "Is-is that you?" he whispered, wishing for all the world that he could see. Though he choked back a bitter laugh at remembering another lie that if he Fell he would see again. No, he didn't really want to see. But he wanted to know. "T-they said you look l-like me?" he asked, stammering from exhaustion and pain, his voice a hoarse rasp from his earlier screams.