After the fall of Hogback, the American government informed the NAAF and Aeshua Azarael that they would be stripped of their authority to act within North American boundaries following the unauthorized use of massive explosives which lead to the death of many humans in addition to the targeted nefilim and fallen angels. The American military attempted to arrest Azarael, but were repelled by angelic forces. Azarael made a public statement that if the Americans wouldn't assist in the eradication of the nefilim and their fallen allies, the angelic army would be forced to act outside their authority.

Human forces attempted to remove angels from their bases and were repelled with frightening ease. Any attempts to mount an attack on angelic forces was slapped down and within a month of the fall of Hogback, Azarael was organizing strike forces to retaliate against human targets.

Late in 2012, the governments of America, Canada and Mexico surrendered to angelic forces. Azarael installed angelic oversight in each nation's government and allowed the established infrastructure to continue while he took control of the military and police departments. He declared the national science programs a branch of the government and began aggressively weeding out research programs which didn't suit his needs.

In 2013, the Yukon Research Base was established and captured nefilim and fallen angels began being sent there for testing and experimentation. During a nefilim raid in Houghton, Peg Hamilton was picked up with several other scientists doing research at Michigan Tech and sent to the base.

With Peg gone, Remy's Wasting Fall begins spiralling out of control again. Killian turns to Micah for what research he has and they collaborate in secret, trying to break the code of the disease.

Azarael institutes a census on all humans in North America. His scientists have discovered a chemical compound which reacts to nefilim DNA and can identify nefilim before they quicken. Census centers pop up all over the continent.

Angelic forces begin making more aggressive sweeps through human populations. During one of these, Tyriel rebels against the violence and falls, fleeing the battle. Haniel follows him and falls soon after.

Peg investigates her surroundings at the Yukon Base, horrified as she uncovers Azarael and Rafael's experimentations on nefilim. She meets Marley, who struggles to grasp her father's activities. Once she learns the fate of her own mother, Marley agrees to help Peg and the other nefilim women escape.

Rafael is devestated to learn of Marley's defection.

Jeshua decides he's not willing to allow Earth to fall entirely under the Aeshuahim's control. He locates Serafiel and frees him, trying to talk him into wresting control from the Aeshuahim to free humans and nefilim from oppression. Serafiel is reluctant, feeling that he owes humans and nefilim nothing, though he is distressed by the subjugation and corruption of the angels, both fallen and Blessed.

Jeshua and Serafiel begin surveying Earth, first in secret and then more openly as they find allies among the Aeshuahim, particularly Gabriel (who is so damn proud of Jeshua but still hasn't told him who his real father is) and Uriel.

When confronted by Serafiel, Rafael surrenders his forces, his spirit broken by the loss of his daughter. Azarael is shaken by his rishki's betrayal.

Lucifer pressures Rishona to use her Aeshua abilities more freely, though she remains reluctant.

Rishona is protecting a new settlement of fallen and nefilim near Sault Ste. Marie which consists largely of pregnant women and infant angels. Peg and Marley are among the inhabitants, which is where Killian finally finds his mate again.

When spies from the K.I. Sawyer base locate the settlement, Rishona is cornered into striking at them to protect her charges. Her display of power draws Serafiel's attention to North America.

Serafiel and Jeshua arrive in New York to challenge Azarael's control of the city, backed by forces from Europe, South America and East Asia. (Most of Rafael's West Asian/Eastern European forces are focused on conflicts with Michael's Middle Eastern military.)

Serafiel sends Uriel and a contingent of peaceful angels to Sault Ste. Marie, seeking the source of Rishona's power. They are waylaid by the power surges coming from Lake Superior and the hidden Superior Gate.

Upon arriving in Marquette, Uriel and his people circle the gate, trying to understand the pull they all feel toward it. Lucifer arrives and they discuss.

Uriel sends word to Serafiel and Jeshua, asking them to come to Marquette. Rishona also joins them. Serafiel studies the gate, then opens it, finally recognizing the longing for home and calling out to Shin.

Shin arrives and rejoices at finding her lost son. She restores the abilities of all the fallen, which also allows Rishona to choose her physical gender.

After discussion, Shin opens all the gates to Eronia all over the world. She encourages fallen and nefilim alike to cross the gates and come home.

Serafiel, after speaking with his mother, decides to remain on Earth as the new God with Jeshua as his helper.