The Risen and Fallen War

The situation as it were had gone from bad to worse in such a short frame of time Avis still couldn't quite believe it. After the last demon assailant had been banished from this realm by the fury of his combat and he sheathed his sword he noticed the son of Gabriel was no longer by his side. All that greeted his questioning gaze were his shell casings and the black ichor of his demonic brethren staining the battle ground.

" Just fucking great....This is so not going to look good on my resume for future bodyguard jobs." He berated himself as he reloaded his pistols, noting he had already expended the lion's share of the ammo he had brought. " Quite the little outing this is proving..."

Avis normally uncaring of an angel's fate felt himself deeply concerned with the disappearance of Arin. After all the young angel had entrusted his safety to the half-breed and given his track record with hell's denizens Avis had been surprised by that fact. But remembering the promise he had wrought out of the young one the demon slayer felt a little comfort perhaps the angel had simply decided to run for it.

But that simply brought him to a new quandary. He had originally come to this underground city for Mirk and by fate's whim became bodyguard to a son of Gabriel. And with the apparent disappearance of his charge these two purpose were at loggerheads. To search for Arin would most likely leaving Mirk for another day, but with his battles thus far the half breed suffered no illusions a second entrance would be as easy. But to go after Mirk would mean leaving Arin to whatever fate he was suffering under. Neither option appealed to Avis but taking in the city built in some shallow vanity of greed and power the demon slayer came to the conclusion this city and Mirk weren't going anywhere. The same could not be said of Arin and between duty and honor, honor won out.

The choice however became academic as once more demons surrounded him. These however were quite a cut above the previous ones, and as heavily armed as him. Some even carrying heavy weapons that would cut the average person down in less time then it took to blink. All and all they seemed quite capable and more then eager to engage the half-breed. Despite that they simply surrounded him, awaiting some sort of command. It came soon enough in the form of a demon parting their ranks. This one was a cut above even his apparent command, clothed in expensive armor and armed with both sword and assault rifle his deep red eyes were aflame with the demonic fury so bright it rivaled Avis's.

" You are Avis, reputed demon slayer. You are currently trespassing on private property and are furthermore wanted by Mirk. You will lay your weapons on the ground and come with us peacefully." The officer spoke without emotion, a contrast to the fury that burned in his eyes.

Avis for his part regarded the order he had been given. While he could in all likelihood take on even the formidable enemies arrayed against him he saw little use in battle. These enforcers would most likely take him straight to Mirk, getting him past security without the need to fight every inch. On the other hand there was no way in hell the half breed was going to lay his weapons down.

" I'll come peacefully enough but I just want to know which one of you scumbags thinks they can disarm me." Avis replied to the officer's order his own mismatched silver and ebony eyes alight with fury to rival the officer's.

The officer simply tilted his ahead in acknowledgement of this obvious fact. It was apparent he didn't expect this to be easy. And so signaling his men to stand down he drew his sword, a long sword made of the same divine metal Avis's was. Avis smiled before drawing his own sword, Punishment, gleaming with the golden color of the divine. Saluting each other the demons fought.

Sparks cascaded off their blades as they fought. The officer opening with a overhead strike which Avis countered with a mid height swipe. Pushing off his left foot Avis countered with a gut thrust which the officer parried by swinging his sword across his body. And in the split second before the officer regained his guard Avis shifted to a one handed grip on his claymore, drawing a pistol with his suddenly free hand. With a swift kick he sent the officer further off balance and in the same motion brought the pistol up to bear. A single shot rang out and the officer's head suddenly sported a rather large hole and was thrown to the ground by the force of the shot.

Signalling his yield the officer got back up, his wound healing rapidly. Black Ichor stained his face and the ground were he had been thrown down to.

" Alright then you can keep your weapons Avis. I can't promise you Mirk will be all that pleased by it. But it's obviously pointless to try and disarm you. But mind your manners and I'll mind mine, along with my command." He said with obvious admiration in his voice, after all demons lived for combat.

" Lead on then." Was all Avis replied with before sheathing his sword and holstering his pistol.

Arin's eyes widened as the demon was literally ripped apart by gunfire. Even though the demon had stolen him away from the only person willing to help him in the darkness-infested realm, Arin still could not get used to such a violent death. In a matter of moments, however, his survival instincts kicked into gear. He had to get out of here if the demon had been killed so brutally. He could be next! He was just about lift off when a voice spoke, causing him to falter...Even if he had lifted off, an intense burst of pain in his still broken wings would have halted him in mid-flight anyway. His eyes searched for the source of the voice until he saw a strange black box. What was that thing? Having been sheltered for so long, he knew nothing of technology. Warily, he approached the foreign device.

"W-what do you want with me?" he stammered, his once shimmering eyes dulled with pain and glistening with tears, "P-please...p-please let me go...I-I just want to go home..."

He hesitated, however, when he thought of Avis out there still fighting the demons, most likely still after Mirk...Arin had no doubt this strange black box was Mirk, even though he thought Avis had said she was a half-angel...Was this what a half-angel looked like? But in any event, if Avis found his way to Mirk, he would rescue Arin, right? And maybe if Arin could help Mirk see the light, the whole situation could be avoided. She was part angel after all, right?

"I...I'm sorry Mistress Mirk..." he whispered, bowing his head, "I-I'm just so tired and I...I am a little hungry. I'll come with you. Only...please promise you won't hurt me..."

“Aww,” Mirk practically cooed to no one in particular, “He's so cute and clueless! Look at those tears, and that face...!”

Turning the mic back on she said to Arin, “Let you go back out there? Look at yourself. That didn't work too well for you last time, my dear. My guard is on his way down to escort you up. He'll get you cleaned up, patched up and fed. Then he'll bring you to me and we'll talk.”

The ARD moved a bit closer and powered down its weapons. “As for home, I have to know where that is to take you there," she lied smoothly. "And hurt you? I won't if you don't give me reason to...” Her voice trailed off into the whirring of the drone's fans.

A few moments later, as she guarded over her angel via ARD, her phone rang with the news of Avis' capture. As soon as she hung up, she called Alejandro.

“Are you back yet? Good. I need you to- yes, Avis, rear entrance. He probably hasn't seen the letter we sent him so give him a copy, but his must be handled delicately. He had angel with- yes, that one. Good to see you're staying on top of things. Oh, and keep them separated.”

She immediately called Bruno and gave him the same instructions. Separated, she could better control the situation, and if necessary use each as a bargaining chip against the other. Together, they'd be nothing but trouble.


Alejandro hung up his phone, his customary stoic expression hiding the snarl on his face at being treated like a lapdog. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself. Mirk was right about one thing, the situation was delicate. Avis was a lit fuse that could cause irreparable damage to the compound under the right circumstances.

The opportunity to meet with him first was fortuitous. Avis might be just the one to help him ground Mirk to dust. The slayer would most likely kill him afterward, but if he got his revenge first, he didn't care. Nothing else mattered. Directing the limo around to the back, he disembarked and waited for the Enforcers' arrival.

A few minutes later they rounded the corner and approached the steps where Alejandro waited. The demon raised a disapproving eyebrow on seeing the slayer fully armed. The Enforcer captain looked away, unable to meet his eyes. Alejandro sighed inwardly, but had to admit that he wouldn't want to be the one doing the disarming either.

Stepping forward, he raised a hand in greeting. “Hello, Avis. I am Alejandro, Mirk's personal assistant. I must ask, if I give you my solemn oath and that of Mirk Mingus that you will remain unharmed and unencumbered during your stay in this building, will you allow me to peace-bond your weapons? You may of course keep them on your person.

“You, see, sir,” Alejandro continued with aristocratic boredom, “my boss has business she'd like to discuss with you, business which I believe you are unaware of to date. If I may,” he held out an envelope to Avis, “this was unable to reach you due to your 'unexpected' entrance.”

The Letter:

As the honor guard of sorts and Avis neared a rather formidable looking building the officer of the enforcers addressed the half-breed demon slayer with a somewhat guarded tone.

" There she is Avis, the home office of Mirk....a more fortified building there is not, at least not on Earth anyways." And here the officer dropped into a somewhat conspiratorial half whisper." Frankly though we just call it shit mountain, but hey what you going to do. At least she pays, which is more then can be said of the Lord I last served....."

" So you were a Seneschal at one time." Avis replied, not with a questioning tone but as a statement. Demons of the officer's power never served in the rank and file, the only surprising thing as far as Avis was concerned was that he had traded the power and prestige of Seneschal to work as a captain of security detail for a half-breed angel like Mirk." This current assignment seems a rather large demotion from that though"

" What can I say, politics is a dirty business. I am sure you know how it is."

" Trust me, we half-breeds know all about the politics of hell and how messy it can get."

What that the conversation was ended as they neared the steps of the building, which yet another demon stood waiting for them. He however had neither the look of a grunt or the swagger of those in command of the big picture as it were. But something told Avis this demon was somebody to watch over. The ambitions and hates of people near the top were always something to be worried about.

“Hello, Avis. I am Alejandro, Mirk's personal assistant. I must ask, if I give you my solemn oath and that of Mirk Mingus that you will remain unharmed and unencumbered during your stay in this building, will you allow me to peace-bond your weapons? You may of course keep them on your person.....You, see, sir, “my boss has business she'd like to discuss with you, business which I believe you are unaware of to date. If I may.... “this was unable to reach you due to your 'unexpected' entrance.”

The introductions over the half-breed studied the letter he was handed while he considered his answer to the personal assistant's request. He was no fool, but to resist at this point would likely mean one hell of a fight. But Avis was also in no mood to let them peace-bond his weapons, he simply did not trust them with such matters. After all a demon's weapons were a deeply personal thing, often made by the demon themselves using the materials that reflected their tastes, abilities, and fighting spirit the best. And Oathkeeper, his father's sword was actually a fragment of his father's soul. It was fighting spirit and anger made physical, forced into being through demonic alchemy and magic.

And frankly Avis didn't care for the whole situation, walking into the lions den with sealed weapons was hardly what one would call smart. Still fighting every single inch of the way was hardly desirable either.

" This lack of trust is very telling. And a bad omen for our future dealings. If your Boss doesn't trust me not to thrust a sword through her heart why should I trust her not to do the same....Besides this whole proposition.." And here the half-demon waved the letter in the air." Is simply absurd, no single being aside from God himself has the power to stop the war entirely. You would have to kill every single demon, every single angel, and probably every half-blood, hell maybe every human while we are at it." And here he laid his left hand upon Oathkeeper's shadow shaded hilt." And that is simply unacceptable to my sense of decency."

Striding to the steps he sat down about three steps down, every enforcer's weapon aimed at him.

" Tell your Boss I think her plan is absurd. And that if she doesn't trust me enough not to go rampaging in her office I'll wait here if she really wants to talk that badly."And with that he seemed content with a last remark." Besides I thought wars were good for business."

Arin listened quietly to Mirk, trying to imagine her as the monster Avis had portrayed her to be. She certainly sounded sincere, but...Avis had said something about never trusting appearances. The young angel resolved that he would need to be on his guard. He hoped that Mirk's guard wasn't a frightening demon. He'd dealt with so many of the terrifying creatures in the last few days that he had no courage left when it came to facing them. Avis had been his strength and shield but now that he was alone and lost once again...Arin shook his head to clear it. He had to find Avis again, whatever the cost. Avis had done so much for him...The least Arin could do was to make sure he was alright. Besides, it sounded like there really wasn't any way out of the wretched place...

"Thank you..." he whispered, bowing his head in thanks though he wasn't sure if the person speaking could see him, "I...I could use a bit of rest."

"You could...take me home?" he asked, his eyes shining at the prospect.

For a moment, he looked ready to reveal the delicious tidbit of information, but Avis' words came back to him. It might not be such a good idea to mention his heritage to anyone other than Avis, or even his home. People might put things together....And something told him this information would not be a good idea to place in Mirk's hands. Still...the prospect of going home thrilled him so much, he was unsure of what to do, and the doubt shone in his eyes...

Enforcers loosely ringed Avis, their postures tense, clearly expecting- some anticipating, violence. Alejandro, however maintained the same loose-limbed, arrogant grace as a Duchess at a tea party. The polite smile never left his face

“If you had come in response to our invitation, we would perhaps, have been able to better trust your intentions, but you broke in, with no knowledge of our invitation and have since been carving your way up and down our streets. One can only assume that your purpose in being here is less than peaceful, yes?” His genteel smile turned sardonic and then accommodating as he suggested, “However, I can modify the peace-bonding spell to break if you are attacked.

”You would have to kill every single demon, every single angel, and probably every half-blood, hell maybe every human while we are at it."

Alejandro chuckled at Avis' claim. So dramatic. Many, many other options were available to those with the fortitude to withstand acceptable losses. However, the slayer did possess a certain amount of cunning that might prove very useful to his plans. “She has no interest in humans,” he lied smoothly, or at least he assumed he was lying. There was much that Mirk hadn't told him- yet.“They have little or no involvement in the war to date. And genocide has no place in her plans either.”

Avis moved and the Enforces tensed for battle. Alejandro didn't do more than turn his head to watch the demon-slayer sit. “So quick to judge a plan you haven't yet heard. Would you like some tea brought out to you then, sir? Or a cot? I believe she uses this entrance once every few weeks or so.”


Mirk watched Arin's submissive posture on the monitor, her face completely impassive. She would never admit to anyone that she felt any sympathy for his plight, but to herself she could admit that this dredged up memories of how she came to the Compound. She, too, had bowed submissively- at first, but that was where the similarities ended. Whereas this boy was cowed, she had merely... waited. She tried to remember if that kind of purity had once resided in her, but pushed the thoughts away as memories began to surface. Of course she hadn't, she decided firmly, even as a small voice inside her mocked, 'Perhaps not by the time you got here, but once... once...'

Angrily, she lit a cigarette and took two deep puffs and a long exhale before replying. Annoyance with her traitorous mind was no excuse to handle a possible asset poorly. “Whether or not I could take you home depends entirely on where you live, Sweetness,” she purred with a lazy confidence that showed nothing of the bitterness marring her heart. “There are some places even I can't go.”

" Let's get one thing straight Alejandro, I did not carve my way up any streets. Some of your fucking annoying as hell relatives decided to attack me. So I killed them, it's this thing I do. Killing idiotic demonic scum..." Avis replied with what could be interpreted as either anger of amusement as he cocked his head to look at the shadow draped ceiling that was the sky here." As for the charge of breaking and entering I plead guilty. But you have to admit if one is a dragon one must accept the fact the odd knight will show up to slay you."

A swift smile appeared at those words as he considered his next step." I wouldn't bother with the sleeping arrangements. We may both be immortal but I ain't got all the time in the world and neither does Mirk." Here Avis the half-breed demon slayer stood up drawing one of his pistol.

" Hey relax people, I am not about to do anything." He said as he pressed the clip release near the trigger, causing the clip to fall into his free hand. Laying it on the ground he then pulled the slide to eject the round still in the chamber, the pistol itself then went on the ground. He repeated the process with his other pistol, being careful to lay it some distance from the other pistol. Then with a heavy sigh he unsheathed Punishment, laying it some distance from both pistol. Arrayed on the steps the weapons seemed lesser, as if sad to be parted from their wielder.

"Alright I'm leaving them right here, if anyone even looks at them wrong let alone touches them there will be hell to pay. Got me.." The words meant for the enforcers but Avis's glare was centered on Alejandro. " You here me scumbags, you will not touch the weapons, alter them in any way, cast any magic on them, or even stare at them wrong. You do and I'll make hell seem like a good place to be all of sudden."

" Alright you can peace-bond Oathkeepr. I don't plan on using it any time soon. After all you know what they say about half-breeds and their Fathers." He said offering Oathkeeper hilt first to Alejandro. " Let's get this over with, I have a homesick angel to find."

A war between the desire to return home and the caution encouraged in him by Avis struggled in his mind. The thought of seeing his family again was so great, it threatened to overwhelm him. But he also remembered Avis' words...his reference to Mirk as worse than a demon. Most of the demons in the underground were extremely frightening...If Mirk was worse...But what if she really could get him home? What if she had experienced a change of heart? For a few moments the conflict flickered in his eyes, though he continued to keep his head down. Finally...he looked up, weariness and exhaustion apparent on his features.

"I....lived on Earth..." he said slowly, trying to choose his words carefully, "With my Momma...a-and my Daddy came to see us a lot too. B-but...a really scary demon came...I-I think my Daddy was pretty important in Heaven...I-I was only there a few times...b-but the demon came to take me away to hurt him...T-the demon k-killed...k-killed everyone in the village...a-and he hurt me...a-and took me here...I-I don't remember how I got away from him...b-but then I got caught again...a-and brought here..."

Arin finished, trying not to cry at the thought of the painful memories. He had deliberately left out the part about finding Avis. He didn't want Mirk to know that Avis was coming; didn't want to give anything away. Besides, everything would soon be better...Avis was probably coming to see Mirk still...Arin hoped he'd be able to find him then. Only...what if Mirk didn't let them see each other? He hoped against hope that there would be a way...

Bruno took Gabriel by the scruff of his neck, forcing the young man out of the door way. Mirk's orders were clear; Get the boy to her and have him cleaned up and brought to her. He tossed the halfbreed to the side and traveled to the young angel born boy. He looked left and right when he was within the vicinity. Almost calling out, Bruno heard the small whimpers of the boy. What he found was shocking and his cold outward appearance gave that away.

The young boy in front of him was the definition of innocence in Bruno's eyes. He went to a knee and extended his hand to the boy. "Come with me...I am going to take you to Mirk. You can take my hand or i will carry you."

Gabriel was slowly following Bruno, he had got a little pissed off with the extra show of force Bruno showed. Gabriel's shoulder was slightly . He felt lied to as Bruno never showed that power when they were supposedly 'fighting'. Bruno was too distracted by the boy to notice Gabriel approach him from behind and he saw the near crying child.

"Steal this kids candy or somethi--"

Bruno was quicker then Gabriel remembered, pinning him up against the wall with his forearm up against his throat. "What the fuck did you follow me for GABRIEL!!?"

Feeling no choice The halfbreed lifted his knee into Bruno's chest but there was no means to strike him. A bowie knife was pulled and held against Bruno's throat. The half choked demand to be let go by Gabriel were being made from this stand off. The sharpness of the blade was not in question, cutting into his neck with no effort on his part at all. "...Leave Gabriel, you have over stepped the basis of your stay...got to Mirk's office and knock. Don't be stupid...leave this matter be."

Gabriel lowered the blade as Bruno pulled his forearm from his throat. "...Alright, I will go, but don't think this is over Bruno. I will have my rematch with you."

Arin blinked and looked up at the hulking Bruno with wide eyes. Even though the man was strong and tall, for some reason Arin wasn't frightened of him. Was that...compassion he saw in the man's eyes? Before he could follow Bruno's directions, however, a young man appeared. Without warning, the tall man had the younger man pinned against the wall. Arin's eyes widened at the power struggle, trying to shake away tears.

"W-wait...p-please...p-please don't..." he stammered in a choked voice.

But then...his heart leaped to his throat as he heard a name...A name he had wanted to hear for so long in this deep darkness, a name only superseded by that of his mother. Gabriel...Gabriel...This man was Gabriel? Only...his father looked different than this young man. Then again, his father was extremely powerful in more ways than one, and his illusions were far superior to his son's. Perhaps he had taken on this form to save his son? Only...why would he turn to leave without recognizing him? Was Arin that tattered and torn that his own Father couldn't tell who he was? Or was Gabriel pretending not to know him so as to prevent suspicion. If his father was undercover, Arin didn't want to blow his cover, but the overwhelming desire to feel safe and protected once again threw caution to the winds. Even though Gabriel had acted just as violently as Bruno, Arin did not pause to think on this. Instead, he ran forward and held Gabriel in a tight embrace.

"W-wait...p-please....p-please don't go, Daddy!" he sobbed, choking on his own tears, "I-it's me! A-Arin! Don't you recognize me, Daddy? P-please...y-you have to help me find my friend so that we can leave this terrible place...p-please..."

Just as he was turning to leave this confrontation, the young boy had embrace him. The moment Gabriel felt the young boy hug him he was taken back to the last year ago with the young boy Micheal, the boy who was like a younger brother to Gabriel. By instinct Gabriel shared the embrace tightly, but soon reality shined on him and he lessened the embrace. "Daddy? This kid thinks I'm his father??" Gabriel was not cruel, and was not going to shut the boy out, but he did not want to hurt the child. He would play along till he could help this child and find his father. "Maybe I have a twin brother thats his father and look like him...?"

He put his hand through the boy golden hair and spoke softly "Arin...its alright don't cry...I won't let anyone hurt you..." Bruno stood silently by but quick he approached the boy and reached out. Gabriel noticed the movement and shot the enforcer a look that was nearly as evil as the demon inside Bruno's soul. Mirk's righthand man took a step back but only on step back showing he was not leaving without the child. His attention turned back to the boy, Arin. "Tell me...what happed with you?"

Hoping this was going to end well Gabriel closed his eyes and decided he would keep this boy safe, this would redeem his inability to protect Micheal. The half breed angel held onto the boy as if he were Micheal reborn...

Arin's tears finally melted and a smile as bright as the sun radiantly shone on his features. In fact, it was as if his entire body was glowing. Gabriel was telling him not to cry just as his father would have said. He was promising he wouldn't let anyone hurt him, just as his father would have done. Gabriel was gently running his hand through his hair, comforting him and making him feel as if he were strong and brave. This was his father! Even if he looked different, Gabriel had to be his father! How could there be someone with the same name anyway? And even if he looked different, it was probably an illusion. Even his father had his limits, and he probably didn't want to have to fight all the demons in the city who would most likely recognize his appearance. As Gabriel held him close and asked him what had happened to him, Arin let all of his troubles spill forth, and though the tears were still glimmering in his eyes, they were more tears of joy, only tinged with fright now, because he knew soon Gabriel would make all of this go away.

"A-after you came to save me....D-Daddy...t-the bad demon...h-he hurt me bad...a-and he took me here..S-some nice person saved me b-but then I got lost...b-but then I found my friend and I stayed with him and he was gonna help me get home but we got attacked by demons and they took me away again and they were gonna take me to Mirk but my friend...Avis is his name and he's a superhero, you know, and he should get a reward and we can be best friends and he can come home with us right? But I know he's still here somewhere and we have to find him Daddy before we go...P-please can't we find him?"

Arin paused to take a breath after letting everything out when his eyes took on an extremely troubled look.

"D-Daddy...i-is Momma...i-is she okay? T-the bad demon hurt her...I was so s-scared...p-please Daddy, can't we find my friend and then go home so I can see her again? I-I miss her so much..."

Something streaked across the sky. Something that the humans and others below would think was a mere meteor that proved persistent and did not quickly burn up as most did. That is all their sensors would show, after all the thing that was coming was not truly alive, at least not yet. The object streaked down towards the surface of earth passing through the atmosphere with no trouble, by sheer fluke it seemed that the object was going to strike a place devoid of all life. At least that was what things had initially seemed like.

That was not to be however and the meteor closed in on a spot where there was by great fluke of fate a military base of humans. The rock streaked down and when it struck the very center of the encampment dust flew and the earth shook around it. When the dust and smoke from the impact faded there was a clear and large crater in the center of the base.

Soldiers gathered around it and peered down at the thing that had fallen from space. It was something to gawk at such was for certain. No one expected to have a rock that fell from space land in front of them, much less to land in the exact center of a military base. And so the soldiers simply stood there gawking for a time. Eventually, for eventually some one felt they had to, a soldier clambered down into the crater to take a closer look at the thing.

It was quite a strange thing, the soldier observed, much of it looked like ordinary terrestrial stone but large chunks looked to be made of ancient bone and the gaping holes in parts of the rock seemed to have been filled with other bones at one time. The man's fascination overrode his common sense to leave such a bizarre thing alone and he stepped closer, barely a foot from it by that point. He poked at it with the barrel of his gun. There was a collective sigh of relief when nothing happened. Though no one there would admit it most of the soldiers had been worried something would happen when the strange rock from space was poked or prodded.

The soldier laughed in giddy humor and held up his hand. And then with a flourish he placed it flat against the thing, palm outstretched upon it. He barely had time for a shrieked "It's so cold!" before death visited the base. The man's skin flesh sloughed off, running down his arm and into the thing. For a brief second the man's skeleton stood alone, mouth open in a soundless scream before the bones too were dragged into the thing.

The rocky ball began to bubble and tendrils of bone and rock spread out from it. The harsh sound of gunfire began to roar as the soldiers around the crater let loose at the thing that had killed their comrade in arms. Thousands of bullets struck the walls of the crater, and the thing within it. The poor fools, but there was no way for them to know that they were simply feeding it. Whips of bone scythed out from the thing in the crater and when they struck men the men dissolved and were consumed much as the first soldier had been.

Suddenly silence fell and the gunfire stopped and with the silence the whips stopped their scything. But there was to be no reprieve for the soldiers in the base. The creature in the crater surged up from it, a form three times the height of the tallest man and it lashed out once more. Whips of bone lashing out and this time they did not absorb but merely slashed the poor men to bloody ribbons. A horrible shriek filled the air as the being screamed its joy at freedom and reveled in the slaughter.

A few of the soldiers managed to reload their guns and fire at the horror from the crater and for a few minutes the sound of gunfire roaring matched the creatures howled screeches of triumph. But the guns fell silent eventually and the shrieking continued on for a time. The being, Revenant ceased its shrieks and the massive horned and frilled head turned from side to side as if searching for more foes. Its form stabilized and the ceaseless shifting stopped.

It sensed life and vibrations flowing up through the earth from somewhere below it. The being would have to pursue that, it would enjoy the slaughter but first it raised a vicious hand up towards the sky and yelled out. "THIS IS WHAT YOU DESTROYED US TO CREATE?! I WILL CRUSH YOUR PUNY CREATIONS SLEEPING FOOL AS YOU ONCE CRUSHED MY PEOPLE."

Bawoom! A wave of air shifted the surrounding trees around the fetalled Nefistis. The mud had been compressed and instantly dried. Massive wings formed a dome around their possesser. The wings folded themselves back, creaking with exhuastion, something she had never felt before. Slate, gritty matter had formed over the wings and her body by an inch and crumbled to the ground as gravel. Two curious eyes crept from the security of their nook between bent knees and discovered the simplicities of Earth's surface for the first time. The unpleasantries of Earth had taken a toll when she arose and her back crackled and popped as if she had not moved for centuries. The area was neatly aligned with round topped stones and square bottoms. Some were cracked, some covered in moss, but all engraved with names and dates.

Out of breath, she stood but a mere five feet-that could not be right. She reached for one of the stones nearby attempting to hoist herself. She looked at her hand; wrinkled and cracked, the beauty had faded with age. Nefistis felt the textures of her flesh up to her cheeks. Air flowed into the weakened lungs for the first time when she had realized time consumed her. She folded back the withered drape from her head and gazed up at the clouds in confusion, 'how long hath I been here Father?' The chords in her throat had dried, a crone she had become.

'He cannot answer you sister,' explained a male voice from a distance, deepened too with age. A man stepped from the tree line, dressed in attire she was not familiar. He slowly approached her, smiling beneath a thick white and gray moustache-his shoulder length peppered white hair hid his beautiful blue eyes.

'Brother Carter? Is that you beneath there?' she asked, squinting her aged eyes to better see what had become of him.

'Yes, is it me. I have watched over you for a long time.'

'This is all so different...what has happened to us? I don't understand.'

Carter used a stick with a wide, metal bottom to hold himself steady and peeled back the thick hair from his face, 'Nye...you understand much,' he widened his eyes with great emphasis to his sincerity, 'oh so much. And I have much to tell you.' Carter held out his hand and grinned, 'Take my hand, Love.'

Nefistis gave him her shaking hand and instantly she was submerged in a garden of inferno and was faced with her brother Lucifer. His appearance was unlike anything she had ever seen. Oh so beautiful, flesh as dark a coal etched with deep, blue scars and equally a crown marking his power over the underworld. Immediately she approched him and stared up at he with no fear, rather amazement, 'Why did you leave, my brother?'

He did not respond for a moment, but basked in her beauty that he now, felt compelled to compliment. He placed a hand on her smooth cheek and caressed, 'If only you belonged to me.' He withdrew his hand, hissing at his manner that came so naturally, glistening fangs peeked from his lips. Still there was not an dash of fear, for she trusted he who had not changed, 'Please brother, I have defied and travelled far to hear what you have to say.....please answer me...'

'There is nothing to say, M'Love,' refused he, as he cowered back into the inferno gates.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Carter tugged at her arm as he pulled her from the vision, 'You found him, you see.'

'Yes......but I still do no-', he interrupted.

'None of us understand Nefistis. He would not even tell you.'

'So how did I ge-', once more Carter fore-explained.

'In your grief, I followed you here, where you had fell and returned...you grieved yourself into a slumber.' He caressed her cheek, just as Lucifer had in her vision, 'Calm now.'

Nefistis seemed startled by the resemblance of his gesture, but calmed none-the-less. She closed her eyes, following as he did, and felt a heavy breeze sweep over them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Slowly she opened her eyes to a reflection of herself. Age had been defied, youth restored. She grinned, 'Carter...' She looked about to find herself in an enclosed space, crowded with a cloud-soft-like square and wooden boxes with metal handles pressed against the walls. She looked down to find a note:

Sororis,
Eo loco in nova domo. Exivi per aedes notes explicatio usus sunt tibi. Humana multum discrepat mundus vos autem sicut feci adjust. Donec accipiant paenitet non potui vobis hodie, ego autem vobis in custodia. Scio inuenies.
Amore
Frater Carter
P.S. adtendite ad dextra.

(Beloved Sister,
Where you stand is in your new home. I have left notes throughout your home explaining the uses they are to you. The human world is much different, but you will adjust as I did. Please accept my apologies that I could not be with you at this time, but I will be watching over you. I know you will understand.
With Love,
Brother Carter
P.S.: Look to your right.)

She looked to her right and approached a wall of glass. Eyes brightened with every step towards the window. Outside: The Compound. Most acknowledged would be the great scrapers lit from bottom to top. One rounded at the top, resembling the stones she was first encountered. Another, though flattened at its peak. Extended from the flattened top was a metal post, a single red light decored the crown, fading in and out, "Where is the sky.....and the clouds?"

Nefistis looked towards the ground. There had to be hundreds walking below, scrambling like ants for their beloved queen.

(Adding to the post.)

Did you think you could run forever my foolish son. A voice, a sibilant hissing holding the power of hate and anger flooded Avis's mind. He knew that voice, had rebelled against the dark destiny it had planned for him. And as soon as the sibilant hissing had stopped Avis felt a total loss of control,watched in impotent fury as his hands drew OathKeeper in a single smooth motion and brought it to bear.

Then as the shadow hued long sword was free of it's sheath a dark fire consumed it and him. The demonic fury that was Avis's greatest gift and curse boiled over, driven to new heights by the power of his father's sword. A roar ripped from his throat, a pure expression of malice, as his human body dissipated to be replaced by the draconian image of his demonic blood. Powerful dragon's wings unfolded from his back as the transformation was complete. Avis now stood in his full glory and demise as it were, here was undeniable proof of his demonic origins.

Covered in scales hard enough to deflect all but the most potent and divinely blessed of weapons he was black from clawed foot to horned head. His black and silver eyes alight with a fury that only a true Demon Lord was capable of. From his mouth issued not his words but his Father as he controlled his son through the sword Avis had taken from him. " I do apologize but I can not let my son put himself in this sort of danger." The possessed Avis spoke with a tone suggesting exactly the opposite of an apology.

And without a single warning Avis launched himself backwards swinging his ebony longsword as he did, the enforcers to their credit managed to realize the danger but not avoid it. A omni-directional blast of dark energy blasted the area, killing them as a wolf amongst the sheep. Sheathing the blade in a blinding fast motion Avis then unsheathed it to send another blast of dark energy flying towards the building the half breed Angel called Mirk called home, destroying a considerable part of it's facade.

Leaping straight into the air Avis took flight his wings angled to make the most of the scant air currents underground. Roaring that pure malice of demon kind the possessed demon slayer flew downwards, slaughtering indiscriminately amongst the other inhabitants of the compound. His shadow hued blade seemed to be capable of splitting the very fabric of reality as short lived gashes revealing a dark void hung here and there in the air.

Hitting the ground Avis dropped Oathkeepr as he clutched his horned head, shouting in two different toned voices. "Stop it you fucking son of a bitch." Avis shouted before his hands once more tired to grasp Oathkeeper. " You are pathetic my son."

The mental duel between Avis and his father went on as the cries of the wounded human slaves began to echo in the air. The other demons and fallen angels of the compound watched in silence, wary of getting too near the raw power and anger emanating from this half-breed demon.

No, I swore to stand against everything you represent. Avis shouted mentally at his father, banishing the foul presence of that Demon Lord from his mind. As soon as he felt the absence of his father's demonic fury the half-breed fell face down onto the ground before getting up after a few seconds.

Still in demon form Avis looked around, surrounded by angry demons and fallen angels the demon slayer realized his perilous situation. His only real weapon was Oathkeeper, but it was the tool his father used to control him. Still dying like this wasn't an option either. So it was with a heavy heart the demon slayer picked the blade up again.

" You want a piece of me, bring it." Avis shouted at his assailants swinging the ebony blade, unleashing another dark energy wave, though it was tinted with silver on it's outer most edges. Using his wings Avis took to their air, knowing a ground war would end poorly for him, even given his demonic form.

So it was with faster then most eyes could follow clashes in the air. Ducking and weaving with an ease he had never felt in flight Avis systemically slaughtered his opponents. You are indeed a quick learner Avis, but if you wish to truly control the power in blood try your best not to die before we meet again. His father's sibilant hissing echoed once more in his thoughts.

Distracted by the hissing Avis took a round to the head but in his demon form such a minor injury was shrugged off quite easily. Merely growling with annoyance the demonic form of Avis went about his aerial battle with all the grace of angel and the savageness of his demonic nature.

Exasperated at the display of testosterone between Bruno and Gabriel, Mirk fired up the ARD's weapons again. She was swinging around to shoot Bruno in the ass, with every intent of Gabriel being next, when her phone bleeped and she put her attack on hold to switch gadgets.

Mirk?

The text from Ashley made her smile. She had presented her captive professor's daughter with a cell phone, ostensibly for her 'bravery', but mostly to keep the professor more biddable when his daughter wasn't with him. As a subtle reminder of the price of failure, Mirk had made him personally enter her private number into the girl's phone and tell her she could use it any time.

Yes? Mirk texted back.

R u gonna kill my dad?

That's up to him. I don't want to, though. He's very smart, and I need him to keep working for me.

R u gonna kill ME?

That's up to you. Probably not though. You're cute, and I like talking to you.

Thnks ^_^ Up 2 me how? I don't want 2 die

Just follow the rules, and do what you're told, and you'll be fine.

OK but Mirk? I'm scard. The angle they have watching me

Mirk quirked another smile at the spelling mistakes.

He's BIG w/ black wings n pointy teeth n he keeps looking at me leik I'm some kinda cheezburger!! D:

Raizel? What idiot put a pedophile with a taste for human flesh on the watch detail of an 11 year-old girl? She'd been very specific that Ashley was not to be harmed. Dumb asses. The girl had already been injected with her father's prototype nanite blocker and was scheduled for testing tomorrow. Millions of dollars of research and development flowed through the child's veins right now.

I'll take care of it, she texted back already picking up the receiver on her office phone to bitch out Daimon Caserez, her head of security. Shit rolled downhill fast among her people, so Raziel wouldn't be there much longer.

Turning back to her laptop, Mirk skimmed the last few minutes of happenings via ARD and then stared, stunned at her monitor, the tidbits of information gleaned in the last few minutes whirling in her head to set off a great big, holy shit of a light bulb.

daddy..important in heaven...clinging to Gabriel..calling him daddy...

Wow. Things were not going as planned. She hoped Alejandro was having more luck with Avis. Her phone bleeped again.

Thnks I guess sinse I'll never c laurie jensen again this makes u my new bff.

Mirk blinked. Best friend? God, kids were gullible. Dropping the phone on the table with a clatter, she resumed control of the ARD, sweeping around the side of the building to see what was going on. Before she rounded the last corner a crash blared out of her speakers followed by a blip of static and then nothing. The whole building shook and alarms blared up and down the hallway outside.

“Oh for fucks' sake!” she smacked her fist down on the table, leaving a sizable dent. “What now?” Fingers flying across the keyboard, she took over a nearby Ordinance-bearing Reconnaissance Drone, a much bigger, more bad ass version of the ARD and sped to survey the damage.

The back side of her building was carnage and chaos. Most of Enforcer Division 1 was down, either injured or dead; there was no sign of Alejandro, and it would cost her millions of dollars to undo the damage done to her headquarters. A huge demon-thing flew above, swinging a sword she recognized from pictures as one Avis normally carried at his side, battling drones and those of her guards with aerial capabilities.

Mirk swung the ORD in that direction, fury bubbling her blood. Locking in the base of Avis' wings as targets, Mirk powered up her weapons systems before she got in range. Finger poised to give the fire command, she bellowed out of the ORD's speakers.

“Seriously Avis, What The Hell??”


Inclining his head at Avis' compromise, Alejandro assured smoothly, “I give my word your weapons will remain untouched.”

The dark power inside of Alejandro rose up like a long lost lover at his call, tempting his control as it always did with its siren's lure. Exerting the discipline necessary to siphon off just a trickle, he wove the beginnings of the peace-bonding spell, but before he could cast it, monstrous energy flared from Avis. An energy and a voice similar yet foreign to Avis' own.

With only a second to react, Alejandro opened the floodgates of his own power and twisted. Dark energy, hastily wielded flared in bulwark that siphoned Avis' attack over and around Alejandro. Cursing at the inelegance of his defense, Alejandro struggled to get the energies back under control. Magic poorly used had a tendency to backlash, often with unpredictable effects.

Blackness swirled, setting his dark hair and fashionable suit whipping. It surrounded him, swirling in a smoky globe that flashed randomly with light before collapsing to a bright pinpoint spiked with black. A moment later, it exploded outward with a resounding boom, and when the smoke cleared, Alejandro was gone.

The Golden gates to heaven were closed. The three generals of Heaven stood facing those closed gates, Michael, Gabriel and Glimora; the latter of whom looked worried seeing the earth in the state it is in. She turned away, disgusted and tearful at the sight of it. Both Gabriel and Michael watched her leave back into Heaven and then Michael placed his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “Brother, you know what is to come of the world if even one of us travels to earth…”

Gabriel was having none of it, flexing his wings and shoved Michaels hand off. The gates opened with the flick of his wrist, moving towards the gates Michael shouted at him, “I forbid you to pass thoughts gates!”
“You have no right to tell me not to leave Heaven! I am not beneath you Michael!”

“Tell me one reason you have to destroy the truce we have!?”
The Angel stopped, for a moment he grabbed the hilt of his sword but the though passed quicker than his movement. “You are the only one here that knows I have a child on that plane of existence….” Michael was giving several reasons on not the leave but Gabriel was lost in thought, “Arin…my son, I have seen your life and I was not there…I will not sit by any longer. I will take away all your pain…all your fear. You will be home soon.”

His wings extended, Michael went silent. “You do this you damn us all…you do this you become a renegade.” All Gabriel did was turn, with a tear in his eye and said “Farwell my brother.” Saying that he leaped into the air and passed the gates of heaven.
No sooner did he left when he was met with several hundred lower classed demons that had encamped outside Heaven in case a even like this would occur. “GRAA!! Gabriel! The Truce is broken!! Invade Heaven!!!!!!”

Gabriel’s reaction was quicker then their own tongues, “In Dei nomine percutiam te!” His sword was pulled from the sheath and carved straight through the first demon in his path, a three headed on the now was a no headed demon. With his wings extended fully out and with momentum Gabriel hardened the tips of all his feathers and spun around slicing through many demons on his way out of the limbo between worlds. “Arin! I am coming!”

His wings were bent back, flying at a incredible speed he was coming on to the area where his son was around, He only stopped seeing a horrid creature shrieking out and yelling something at the Creator who would not be awake to hear it. He knew he was there for his son but this Creature…it had to be dealt with, he stopped just a few hundred feet above it. His arrival was hailed with light and fire from Heaven and would have gained its attention. “You!! You shall not touch his Beloved!!”
Gabriel dropped out of the sky with his sword in hand and went to attack the creature with a down-ward slash….

Revenant's massive almost saurian head tilted up as the fire and light blazed across the sky. Black holes where the eyes should have been in the fleshless skull of bone and rock watched the show and perhaps hope flickered somewhere in the tattered remnant that had once been the greatest of the Creator's first born. Perhaps the Creator was descending to answer its belated and long delayed challenge, perhaps it would finally have vengeance and ascend itself or perhaps it would be able to die at last. So long it had spent in this wretched hulk as he aged beyond imagining that perhaps it would welcome a final release.

As it pondered the fire it felt a sharp pang of disappointment. The figure that emerged was not that of the creator, it was at most another of the pitiful new creations. The figure yelled something that the ancient abomination could not understand and then plummeted down towards it with a sword outstretched.

It was almost casually that the monstrous thing that raged at the sky raised a hand and made a swatting gesture, long before Gabriel could possibly be in range of it physically. But it was not to be the physical motion that proved a threat. The earth itself rose in a mirrored response and a massive taloned hand made from the rock and stone of the earth swept across the sky to intercept the attacking angel. So intent would the angel likely be on his sword strike that he might well miss the attack from the side until it was too late.

Even as the earth rose up the creature screamed, a terrible shriek that made the air seem almost to shimmer with the pent up rage that it was clearly venting. And as the massive clawed hand of earth swept towards the angel Revenant watched still impassively, face of rock and bone showing no emotion though the great mouth hung open.

"D-Daddy...i-is Momma...i-is she okay? T-the bad demon hurt her...I was so s-scared...p-please Daddy, can't we find my friend and then go home so I can see her again? I-I miss her so much..."

Gabriel wanted to cringe at the questions and his lack of knowledge, "Do not worry, I was focused on you more, we will find out soon." The halfbreed took a quick look at Bruno who was tired of waiting, he was never late for Mrik and he was not going to start now. Clicking of guns brought Gabriel into a defensive mode and for the first time in his life his wings appeared out of thin air. The bullets that left Bruno's gun would have gone through Gabriel's wings but they hardened stronger then steel, deflecting the bullets and he leaped into the air with the boy in hand. Flying seemed like second nature to him, even though this was the first time he was flying.

What did Mirk want with the boy? That question was going to be answered as both were on their way to Mirk's building through the air. "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you." His sword was at his back and ready to be used on the short notice of a fight...

Avis, demon that he was could not ignore the pounding of his pulse. The sheer power that coursed through him when the shell of his human birth was thrown aside. And that more then anything disgusted him, the lust for battle all his brethren felt. He swung Oathkeeper left to counter a off line thrust while at the same time beating a backwards motion using the powerful lift of his dragon's wings then before his assailant could do little more then begin another attack swung Oathkeeper once more. The blast of dark energy flying with all the speed of it's nature, one more victory to add to the many he was winning thus far.

This also disgusted him, the need to resort to battle. No such thing as surrender for a demon, as they say you can't save someone without their permission. Why did his father desire this, did his father Demon Lord that he truly care about the safety of his son. Or was he like any good blacksmith folding the blade upon itself, tempering the steel by way of careful blows and quenching.Avis would not ask, for to open his mind that far during battle would bring the foul influence of the man he hated above all.

And so he flew through the air, a aerial ballet that many participated in. Wreckage of metal machines, the black ichor of demons, and even the golden ichor of angels was strewn and splattered below him and his dance partners. Despite the ease he showed in dodging and counter attacking Avis could feel the fury of his blood lessening. Perhaps the very disgust he felt at his demonic heritage inhibited the true all consuming fury that powered his greatest gift and curse. But even with that realization the half breed could not embrace his dark nature whole heartedly. He knew all too well what that lead to. One did not need to become a monster to kill one, Avis himself was proof of that.

So it was in this lull, created by both his fury and cold logical style of combat he found himself faced by yet another attack drone. Something a step above the usual issue it seemed but He was still in Demonic form and held Oathkeeper easily in his left hand. The fury burning in his black and silver eyes glinted with sardonic amusement as he considered the voice that emanated from some speaker built into the thing.

" You know what they say about half breeds and their Fathers." Avis replied as he landed amidst the carnage of his battle, his voice rendered a sibilant hiss not all unlike his Father. Bringing his right hand to his forehead he focused on the power coursing within, amazed at the sudden awareness of it. Calming the fury he banished it.

Looking at the latest drone sent against him Avis faced it in the shell of his human birth, sheathing Oathkeeper as he did." Mirk I assume, why send this thing against me. Do you fear facing me openly. I assure you this episode...." Here Avis gazed around the undeniable proof of battle strewn around him. " Is entirely my Father's doing. The miserable old goat thinks he can still rope me into serving the dark destiny he had planned for me. Unfortunately as you see his power is immensene and I can do little to resist it. I am wary of facing him openly as well, and all he was doing was controlling me. Imagine what he could do if he took the field himself."

Here Avis made a show of keeping his hands far from the sheathed demonic soul forged blade at his waist." But ancient history is hardly why I am here Mirk. You know what I am and most likely why I have come. I am a slayer, a task I appointed myself. I hunt and slay darkness wherever I find it be it angel,human, and even demon."

Avis tilted his head as if in silent prayer, but as before the prayer was not to a slumbering god but to the light in his soul, corrupted as it were by his demonic blood." You have made a name for yourself Mirk through pain,suffering, and downright evil ways. You are a merchant of death in both it's most mundane and purest forms. But you are also a angel and a human, a half breed like me. Which is why l will offer you a second chance, something I extend to all my targets."

Avis then fell silent staring at the steel machine awaiting his answer, for good or bad. This was why he worked alone, for so few slayers desired the path of a paragon. Revenge and anger drove them to kill, making them in the end little better then those they hunted. Avis for all his demon's blood and fury refused to turn to such a shadow filled way. He already had embraced his dark destiny far too comfortable for his sense of right and wrong likings'. He would not resort to open conflict unless there was no other choice.

You know what they say about half-breeds and their Fathers...

Mirk flared with red-hot rage, blood boiling in a rush through molten veins. White light similar to Arin's, shot through with muddy red streaks the color of dried blood, burst from her body for a brief moment before she realized Avis meant himself. As quickly as the fireworks began, they passed as if they had never been. The light faded to leave her office in heavy shadows once again; her fury-twisted snarl disappeared, and the finger trembling with tension a fraction of an inch away from the missile launch button moved back to the flight controls.

She followed Avis down with a smooth-faced calm that only the mentally imbalanced can muster after such an outburst. Hovering a few feet off the ground a short distance from Avis, the ORD squared itself to face him on a soft whine of jet propulsion. Instead of attacking, though, its weapons powered down and returned to their standby positions.

“Yes, I am Mirk.” The sleekly-rounded killing machine bobbed awkwardly in the air as if curtseying. “At your service.

“Why would you think I'd be afraid to face you?” Mirk scoffed at the idea, tempted to fly her ass on out there on general principle. Bruno would have her head on a platter, though. In this one area, the issue of her safety, nobody fucked with Bruno, not even Mirk. “This was merely the quickest method for figuring out what the fuck is going on here. What the fuck IS going on here anyway, and what brought Daddy Dearest to the party?”

The ORD turned from side to side as if looking at the damage and loss of life. It was even worse than she'd thought. Restoring the building would take months. “Dozens of dead and millions of dollars worth of damage, and you call it an 'Episode'? Tsk, tsk, I hope you have deep pockets, my friend, skyscrapers don't come cheap or fix cheap.”

“And yes, I can guess why you're here. Blah, blah blah, I've been a bad, bad girl and you're here to spank me and put me in a corner until I agree to play nice with others, right?” Mirk arched an admiring eyebrow at Avis' image on her monitor. No one could see the movement, but it showed plain in her voice when she added with a seductively flirtatious lilt, “The bad girl and the spanking parts I'd definitely agree to, but the other two just aren't my style, Hot Stuff.”

“Now that we have that settled, are you ready to quit swinging that damned pig sticker of yours around and come have a chat about why I wanted to see you? Hell, if you manage to make it up here without destroying anything else, I might even rummage up an extra girlie or two for you to spank.”

" As tempting as the seductive tone in your voice is Mirk I never mix business with pleasure." Avis replied with a smile that was enigmatic at best, the half-breed had always been rather good at hiding his hand( current events aside). " As for the rest I am sure family history would bore you. Suffice to say my Father is a very powerful Demon Lord who has ambitions to rule more then his own realm." The slayer added emphasizing the word very.

Drumming the fingers of his left hand on the hilt of Oathkeeper he let another enigmatic smile flash across his face at the insinuation he'd be responsible for the cost of the damage he wrecked. " I'd send the bill to my Father if I were you. I would rather not max out my visa to clean up his mess." Once more the enigmatic smile, for no matter which way this hunt would end the tower would be the least of anyone's worries.

Deciding enough had been said Avis made his way to the now damaged tower that housed Mirk running over the plan such as it were. For he had openly attacked his target, albeit in the thrall of his Father's will. And transforming twice in such a sort frame of time had tired him to degree although not to it's usual near black out exhaustion. He merely felt like he had run a marathon, and only a mildly demanding one at that. He wondered if the residual energy of his Father channeling fury through him was bolstering him somehow. For some reason that thought disquieted Avis, for it meant a small piece of his father was still with him.

Trust the bastard to leave himself a back door into my mind. Avis thought to himself with well hidden anger. Nothing got the blood flowing like his anger against the reasons surrounding his birth.

The ruined facade of Mirk's skyscraper came into view and Avis realized he had done a number on the building. It would likely cost the half-angel a great deal to fix the damage done to her home. But once he agreed or disagreed with this plan of her Avis had a sneaking suspicion the monetary matter would be forgotten. Those in places of power in the underworld often let things slide for valuable allies. And if it came to battle it would hardly matter if the tower needed millions to fix.

Kicking aside debris Avis tried in vain to search for his weapons. There simply was no sign of the divine forged blades. That more then anything save his Father ticked him off, those weapons had been hard won from a renegade angel. They were the spoils from his first fight as a slayer and held meaning beyond their mere value as masterfully made weapons.

The sudden harsh clanging of booted feet and the sound of assault rifles locking and loading made him look up from his searching. More guards and none too happy it seemed by his slaughter of their fellows. Well Avis hardly expected open arms and hot chocolate even before his episode as it were.

" Alright drop the blade and come with us." One of them shouted, the officer it seemed by his bearing and dress.

Avis merely gazed behind him to take in the wreckage of his battle then back at the officer with a cocked smile as if smiling at some outlandish demand of a child.The officer gazed back and a staring contest was begun. The fury of their demonic natures did battle in a mental realm removed from the physical one. It lasted a few heartbeats before the officer looked away.

" Alright lead the way you lot." Avis said feeling a sense of deja vu as he followed the group of guards into the main entrance of the tower.

Yea,though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Avis thought with a moment's irony and sardonic amusement. It never failed to amaze him how far Angels did fall when the took the leap off their high horses.

Arin nodded at Gabriel's words. If his father said not to worry, he wouldn't. Arin still held a childlike sense of trust in his father, his mother, and his closest friends. He knew if they said something would be alright, it would be sure to be true. As Bruno fired bullets at Gabriel, Arin closed his eyes, biting back a cry of fright. He should have known Gabriel would have it under control. Gabriel's wings hardened, blocking the bullets as they lifted into the sky. Arin held onto Gabriel tightly as they flew.

When the half-angel said he wouldn't let anything happen to Arin, the young angel laid his head on Gabriel's shoulder.

"I-I've missed you so much Daddy...I'm so glad you're here," he whispered.

As they flew towards Mirk's abode, he surveyed the wreckage underneath, eyes wide. What had happened here. He had heard signs of a fight back where he had been with Gabriel and Bruno, but hadn't imagined anything this extensive.

"I...wonder who could have done this..." he faltered.

*Response to Rap*

Gabriel's speed was picking up, going down in a straight line will do that. His sword was cutting through the air almost faster then he was, The momentum was almost too great to dodge the large nearly truck sized rock claw that was sent flying at him, he got his body out of the way but he head was struck full force. The blow sent him spiraling like he was cart-wheeling in the air. He soon regained consciousness but he was not far from the creature.

It was many many years sense he was on Earth in his angelic form, he forgot what true pain was as the crimson color dripped down the side of his face from the cut on his head. He must of had a concussion his vision was blurry, but all that would be set straight the wound on his head was mending already and his vision and equilibrium would be set straight.

"Monster! What are you!!?"

He yelled as he charge at it once he caught it out the corner of his eye, the sword went slick around in a spinning swing as he went to strike at his enemy.