The Risen and Fallen War

[Shadow]

Light seeped in between the cracks of the blinds from the nearest window in Gabriel's room. He slit his eye lids to let the light in a bit, "Ugh...how long have I been out?" After a full minute Gabriel sat up and shook his head, lightly ruffling up his golden hair. Brushing it out of his eyes and reaching for a glass half full of water, Gabriel got up and opened the blinds and saw the artificial rain generator was active, the window was covered in droplets. "Looks like today will be a good day..."

The t.v activated from his voice and was on a movie channel with a cage fight on, gaining his attention. "Oh nice." Sitting on his bed, occasionally looking out the window, he watched the program. The fight was stopped at 4;56 in the third round by a armbar. "Good fight."

The door to his room opened, a beautiful women with a tray of high class food in hand. "Sir Gabriel, compliments of CEO Mirk."

"Please thank her for her hospitality."

"I will, enjoy your food sir."

He picked through the food, eating the bacon, waffles, fruit and sausage. The caviar and crackers were left untouched. Well fed and waking up, Gabriel gathered his bag he brought with him, leaving his weapons in the room, and walked out the door. The hallway was much like a classy hotel, something he was not used to. "Hmm...were is the gym...?"

"Sir?"

Turning his head, he saw a large burly man in a black suit eyeballing him from the end of the hall. "I was informed there was a gym, or dojo in this building..."His eyes were hid by his sunglasses from Gabriel, but he soon removed them and winked. "This way...sir."

A sudden stench reached Gabriel's noise, and a tattoo familiar to Gabriel was found on the back of his guide's neck.

"So...your a demon?"

"Yes...and I believe you are a halfbreed, angel's side?"

"Yea, how long have you been in the service of...Mirk?"

"Oh she has been a good boss...just do not get on her bad side."

"I do not intend to."

"...We are here sir..."

[wakeangel]

The black Hummer, glistening beneath its fresh coat of wax and dark-tinted windows, eased down a quiet suburb street lined with unassuming businesses. The vehicle in and of itself wasn't very noteworthy, but when it pulled into a parking space in front of a small pawn shop, the four black garbed men who got out to form flanking positions around a fifth drew a few stares.

Inside the cluttered, dingy shop, the old man most people assumed to be the proprietor watched the men approach. These clients were obviously not here for him. She wouldn't be pleased with them using the public front as an entrance, but that didn't make his duty any less clear. Picking up the phone he dialed the extension for her office.

“Yes?”

As always, her low, sultry voice reminded him of younger days, smoky bars and women with only one thing on their mind. Voicing such an opinion would likely get him castrated, so only proper respect colored his voice as he told her, “Well, Ma'am, there's some gentlemen up here ta see you. Should I have them-”

“No. I'm expecting them. See them to the conference room, please.” Her tone was not one of request, but command. “They will be met there.”

“Yes, Ma'am,” he began to say, but the line was already dead. A soft ding of the bell attached to the front door announced the entrance of his boss' guests, so he stepped out from behind the counter to greet them.

“Right this way gentlemen,” he said as if he'd been expecting them all along, and led them down a cramped hallway to unlock the 'conference room', a small windowless room equipped with a table, some chairs, a coffeemaker and not much else.

“Someone will be with you shortly,” he said, closing the door behind them.

With the click of the latch, a soft whirring that most people took to be the ventilation system started. The old man turned and headed back to his comfortable chair behind the counter wondering idly if the group would be among the few who ever knew that the conference room in truth concealed a cleverly disguised elevator sinking them several hundred feet beneath the ground.

++++++++++

Wiping sweat from his brow for the fifth time in as many minutes, Bernard paced a hallway identical to the one in the pawn shop above. One of the few trusted with the knowledge of today's meeting and what it signified, he hoped for the hundredth time that his mistress knew what she was doing. The discrete red light of descent over the door turned the green of arrival, and he had no more time to worry. As instructed, he opened the door right away and led the men down the twisting hallways to her lavish office.

++++++++++

Mirk liked the dark, liked the drama of it, liked living in it, liked sitting in it, liked doing business in it. Long years spent mostly underground, and the superior senses gifted to her by genetics had accustomed her to it. Plus, she found that it put many of her clients off balance, and she also liked having an edge. So, when her guests entered the room, she leaned back in her chair, removing herself from the room's only light source, the small pool cast by her desk lamp.

She absently flipped her lighter in her hand as she studied the men entering the room, nodding with approval at the bodyguards' practice of dividing the room into quadrants and how they avoided looking into the light as they scanned the room for threats. She slid a cigarette out of its pack, observing that the man in the center, however, seemed ill-at-ease, clutching his briefcase to his chest and trying to peer past the desk lamp.

Briefly, light flared in the darkness behind the desk as Mirk lit her cigarette and took a long drag, illuminating for a moment slanting ice-blue eyes in a face as cold and calculating as it was beautiful.

“Well come on in, Sugar,” she drawled in lazy fashion to the nervous young professor.

“Your men can wait outside.” A bit of steel infused her voice, but she chose to ignore the implied insult of bringing goons into the office with him for this meeting. She was quite certain he was in way over his head and had very little idea, if any, of the intricacies involved in underworld negotiations in general, and with her in particular. Besides, one could overlook a lot from a man who stood to make her billions.

With great reluctance, he nodded to the guards, fiddling nervously with his briefcase. The men exited, to take up positions in the hallways outside no doubt.

“Come have a seat,” Mirk offered with authority. Only when he sat obediently in one of the chairs across from her did she reward him by placing her arms on the desk and leaning forward so he could finally see her.

Acute hearing afforded her with a good idea of how men described her, and she used the knowledge ruthlessly.

'A body to die for,' they said. Well, many of them had.

'Lips begging to be kissed.'

'Fuck-me eyes.'

Well, she'd done plenty of that too. She cultivated sex-appeal as she would any other business tool, but the power of turning great and powerful men into slavering idiots with a glance was a personal pleasure as well. Turning up the intensity of her gaze now, she leaned her chin on one arm as if they were confidants.

“Since you're here, I'm assuming you were successful, and you brought them, correct?” His wide-eyed nod was actually kind of cute, and she briefly toyed with the idea of playing with him later, but dismissed it just as quickly. She tended to break humans when she fucked them, and he was far more useful to her alive- for now.

Letting some of her excitement show in her voice and eyes, she smiled. “Well? Let me see them!”

With fingers so careful they shook a bit, he opened the briefcase, exposing three small vials nested in foam and a small device off to one side that somewhat resembled a cellphone. Before he could protest, she reached out and snatched them up. Holding the vials up to the light she examined the silvery liquid inside each. One looked slightly opalescent, one like thinned down mercury and the third glinted faintly with copper hues.

“Pretty.”

“Testing was successful on both the human and the two fabricated tissue samples you provided. There's a DNA sampling port in the control panel that is 98% accurate if used properly. The nanites are as EMP shielded and self-sustaining as I could make them for their size. Very little could actually wipe them all out, and at the rate they replicate, the kill switch in the control panel is your best bet to ensure precision. The coloring as you've probably already guessed is mainly for identification purposes... Ah! Please be careful with those..!”

He fidgeted nervously in his seat, watching her with fascinated horror. She twirled the vials in her fingers with a complete lack of concern that exposure to the tiniest bit of what two of them contained would mean death to her and anyone else with human or angelic blood in the entire compound and, adding the third would complete the transition of her father's life's work into a graveyard by killing anything demonic. In her hands was the power to end the War in any way she saw fit.

“I'm impressed, Professor, and that's hard to do.” She pulled her phone out of a desk drawer and slid it across the desk to him.

“One-hundred million, as agreed. The transaction is all set up. Just enter your account number and hit 'Send'. Try to do anything else with it and you won't draw another breath. Am I clear?”

He swallowed hard and nodded, doing as instructed before carefully placing the phone back on the desk.

“Feel free to verify funds,” she said, tamping out her cigarette. She placed the vials back in the box and removed them from the table as he used his own phone to check his account.

“Pleasure doing business with you, my dear,” she said when he nodded. Rising from her chair, she escorted him out and back into the hands of his goons before returning to her seat to finish her quarterly estimates.

Ten minutes later, she got the call she'd been waiting for and activated the worm program she'd had hidden within the transaction to retrieve her funds. 'Beautiful,' she thought as the money redeposited itself in her account and all traces of both transfers were erased.

Sleeping gas in the elevator, professor abducted, his young daughter already ensconced in the lab/prison she'd had built especially for them, a weapon capable of destruction on a scale her father could only have dreamed, and for free, no less. It'd had been a very, very good day for Mingus Munitions. Now she just had to decide how she wanted to use her prize, make shit-loads of money and avoid getting herself and those under her care obliterated in the process.

++++++++++

If the four men in dark suits and sunglasses closely surrounding a fifth who emerged from the pawn shop and drove a sleek black Hummer away weren't the same as the ones who entered the store an hour earlier, it would take a discerning eye to tell. On the quiet suburb street that day there weren't any.

[Hisoka]

" Our Father who art in heaven..." The priest droned, a meaningless prayer to a God who slept while the world tore itself apart. His flock a mindless horde of well dressed sheep sat in their pews their heads bent in prayer.

The church itself however was a magnificent example of old world building style with flying buttresses and stained glass windows depicting the typical religious scenes. All of it complete and utter bullshit, The priest knew this, had for quite some time in fact but appearances must be maintained. For the priest knew his sermons and their symbolism helped hide the truth from the majority of humanity and keep them sane in the process.

The man who sat in the furthest back pew however needed no such coddling. Unlike the rest of the flock he showed no reverence for the God the sheep prayed to. But at the same time the man showed no disdain for the flock knowing as the priest did why they need such coddling.

And unlike the flock he was not dressed to impress. Everything from his black leather fur collar jacket to his black combat boots seemed to speak of a more practical nature. His hair woven of silver and ebony strands seemed more the work of a stylist then nature but as with his matching silver and black eyes it was the result of his heritage and some blind luck. Beside him on the pew sat a large black case. A plain everyday looking large suitcase that one could buy in any luggage store the man kept his left hand on it. His angular features handsome balanced out by a strong jaw but this man cared not for such things.

The service went on it's lies bringing comfort to the ignorant sheep.

-------------------------------------------------

" I am glad you came Avis." The priest said without much ceremony as he flopped down behind a desk where sat an open bible. Truly massive one could tell it had once been a cherished item but no more. For a thick layer of dust obscured the supposed holy writings contained within.

"You said you had information for me Darius?" The man now known as Avis replied getting right down to business, his tone holding a slight edge to it. That bladed voice yet another giveaway to his heritage.

" Yes I do......" And here the Father Darius looked around as if searching for an unseen observer, as if aware he was being watched. In his eyes was the fear of death but at the same time resignation. He knew the price of his information and was determined to get top value for it so to speak." Are you aware of the Compound?"

" Sure some fancy underground city run by the Half-Angel Mirk, owned by the Mingus Munitions company of which she is the head. They she runs the place like a kingdom."Avis spoke revealing more information then was commonly bandied about. For such things were talked about in the circles this man or so he seemed traveled in.

"Yes the compound is all that and more. And I've found a way in that isn't guarded quite so tightly. Visitors to the city aren't so uncommon and given your Demonic blood I figure you could pass rather easily into it. " Darius replied getting up and walking towards the back wall of his office where hung a picture of the supposed last supper, yet another lie to fool the masses.

" I'll admit you piqued my interest Darius. I've thought about going to the compound once or twice myself. But I think I rather stand out especially given my reputation." Avis said by way of reply, no pride in his voice. For it was the truth. He was a Half-blood demon who had turned on his brethren when given the chance to join them. And now he wandered fighting the darkness alone for he trusted not the servants of a sleeping God. And few were the demon slayers not guided by a personal agenda. For Avis followed no law or rule but his own heart. He slayed demons to protect humanity and humanity alone. Hell and Heaven could burn for all this son of two worlds cared. For in the end neither side really was the good side. For both sides wanted nothing less then total victory and as proven by history were willing to go to any lengths to achieve it.

" You're not the first half-blood to have two different colored eyes, even some humans have that feature. As for your reputation none of your kills lived to report what you look like so as long as your careful I think it'll be alright." Darius spoke his eyes unable to turn from the lie the painting almost screamed at his knowing mind.

"I suppose your right Darius so where is this supposedly unguarded entrance."

"The start of the entrance is in the Marigold Metro station. Travel down the tunnel until you see the new extension the city workers are digging. There is a fault they hit. That fault leads to an underground natural tunnel formed by lava although it has been a long time since any molten rock flowed down it. This tunnel in turn leads to a shaft you'll have to climb. Be careful the shaft is home to a waterfall and as such it'll be slippery going. The shaft levels off to form yet another tunnel. This tunnel leads to a service bay underneath one of the hotels beneath the city. I am not sure which one. Of course you'll have to knock down a cement wall but that shouldn't be any problem. "

Avis for his part nodded, although the way in sounded risky it was better then knocking on the front door so to speak. And worse come to worse it would be no different then barging in the front door. For if this unbelieving priest knew of it who was to say the enemy didn't either . But then again this priest had really good sources so to speak. Most Demons were more then happy to make a trade if it was made irresistible to them.

Still holding on his large suitcase with one hand the half-demon Avis walked out of Darius's office with a not a single backward glance. For perhaps on his return the demon slayer would have more business to attended to.

-----------------------------------------------------------

This place stinks. Avis thought as he looked over the city. Now whether or not the place did actually smell noxious was up for debate. But it was not a physical scent that offended his senses. It was the scent of evil and corruption that made him think such a thing. It hung in the air like a miasma choking out everything it could under it's foul grip.

Avis from his perch ,high atop the hotel he managed to sneak into quite successfully despite a mishap or two, looked around to get his bearings. The first was when he had to climb the shaft, for 3/4 of the way up he fell and for a few heartbeats the half-demon thought it was all over. But he managed to grab hold of a ledge and make it to the hotel's service bay where laundry machines in their multitude sat next to all assortments of cleaning supplies. This is where the second of his mishaps happened. A demon was for lack of a better word trying to seduce one of the maids. But Avis suddenly knocking down a cement wall to make his entrance killed the mood. And one look at the heavily armed demon slayer ensured a battle. For Avis had strapped his swords and guns on for the need to keep them hidden had passed. Although the battle was over quickly the demon slayer had the maid to deal with. Begging for life she ran for it and Avis let her. For he did not kill those seeking redemption or the slaves of demon kind.

Avis knew sitting atop his high perch that the maid had more then likely reported his entrance but he cared not. He was in and now it was time to clean house.

And with that final thought he strolled to the roof entrance and began to walk down the stairway. Passing any number of hotel guests along the way. Back on the surface a heavily armed person would garner a lot of attention especially from law enforcement personal but here it seemed prefectly normal. Not that he really cared but the element of surprise was always nice no matter the situation. Although any who knew Avis knew the element of surprise wouldn't be his for much longer.

[ElRey]

“I don’t think you understand,” The man insisted in a timid, his hands shaking badly as he attempted to ash his cigarette. “I can’t speak of such things. They’ll have both of our heads.”

The bar was crowded and noisy, as was usually the case on Friday night. A band played on stage, though they weren’t any good, causing the booze-addled masses that clogged the cramped quarters to sway to and fro. Like a school of fish hypnotized into a strange dance. Still more jostled and elbowed one another at the bar, hoping to gain the bartenders attention and continue their binge. Smoke hung heavy in the air, mingling with the stench of sweat, urine and blood. Even if there had been windows, they would have long been glued shut and spray-painted black to shield the sun. That’s just the kind of place it was.

Lazarus said nothing, simply staring at the man, a look of utter apathy on his face. Across the table the man shifted uncomfortably in his seat, causing the cracked leather upholstery to squeak and the wood that formed the booth groan. The orange tip of the man’s cigarette flared, as he drew in a nice, long drag. Still his hand shook, though whether it was out of fear of her or reverence of the Emissary one could not be sure.

Perhaps a mixture of both. He mused, remaining silent, pale eyes pinning the shifty man to his seat. With every passing second the man seemed to grow more ill at ease. Beads of sweat rose from his temples and his lips grew parched and cracked. Another puff. Lazarus’ gaze narrowed, causing a shiver to run through the smoker despite the suffocating heat of the venue.

“I need a drink.” The man mumbled leaning his forehead against trembling fingers. Frantic eyes searched for permission in the Emissary’s expression but found only a frosty stare, devoid of emotion. As if suddenly gaining the will to stand, the man did so. Tossing the final drags of his cigarette into the ashtray with a well-aimed flick.

Lazarus’ simply watched from behind the lazy upward drift of the smoke as it smoldered into ash. How fitting. Rather than head for the bar as he claimed, the man casually tried to disappear in the crowd, ducking under raised arms and making a b-line for the restrooms. He risked several glances over his shoulder, making sure the Emissary remained seated, unsuspecting.

Upon reaching the restroom, his speed increased. He threw open the door, whipping it shut behind him. Quivering hands fumbled with the bolt, eager to lock out any pursuit. Ragged breath tore at his lungs as he spun, focusing his attention now on reaching his only means of escape.

The window was undersized, hardly large enough for the man’s skinny hips to squeeze though, but he had done it before. It was only a matter of boosting himself from the sink and determination. Making the mistake of glancing in the mirror he was shocked by his own reflection.

It would have been easy to mistake him for a corpse; his skin was tight across his bones, pallid and slick with perspiration. Miniature spider webs of darkened veins had begun to bulge from his cheeks and neck, and thick circles hung under his eyes. Horrified, the man dove towards the high window, placing a heavy boot atop the sink and pushing off, greedy fingers extended towards the frame.

As arms began to hoist him up and through his escape route a knock came at the door. Though there was no voice with it, the would-be escapee knew exactly who was on the other side.

“Oh god, oh god, oh god. Please, no, no, no.” He pleaded with his own pelvis, as he wiggled through the opening. Another knock, this time slightly more insistent. Tears formed at the corner of his eyes as skin scratched away against the masonry. The sudden freedom caught the man off guard, he spilled partially out the window; thin legs flailing as he fell.

As luck would have it, the trash hadn’t been picked up that day, so he landed softly in the festering dumpster relatively unscathed. No sooner than he landed than a pair of hands gripped his shirt, hauling him back out again. With surprising force they cast him to the hard concrete.

“You really should know better than that, Robert.” Lazarus’ sounded downright bored. “Amateur at best.”

“You stay the hell away!” Robert screamed, pushing himself to his feet. Beneath him his legs felt like jelly leading him to stumbling back against the wall. Crimson streaks drooled lazily from the scruff on the man’s head where it had struck asphalt.

“Interesting choice of words.” The reply was flat, factual, deliberate. Lazarus’ straightened his tie.

“You fucker! Don’t you get it? The rules have changed.” Robert hissed. “You don’t get to make them anymore.” Scales, which until now had remained hidden, began to surface, revealing Robert for what he truly was.

Lazarus stood over the half-demon, the farthest corner of her mouth curled downward ever so slightly. “I never did.”

Over the thumping bass, pounding drums and general revelry no one inside could hear the screams.

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

It was highly unlikely that the news would blow into full-scale rumor anytime soon. Such an accusation would only serve to escalate the situation, plunging the conflict into further murky chaos. Something that was to be avoided at all costs. But, as with anything, there were those privy to the information that lacked the tight lips needed to keep such rumors entering the collective unconscious. As an Emissary, it was Lazarus’ business to be the first to know what would happen, what was being planned and who was doing it.

Still, this was different. Everyone was scared. Enough that even under heavy scrutiny from an Emissary there was little information of value to be found. Had it not been for the gift of Foresight it was unlikely Lazarus would have had any idea where to start.

Now it was becoming clearer… So far all roads led to Mingus Munitions, so that would be his next destination. Just how deep the rabbit hole went remained to be seen; somehow Lazarus doubted it would be Wonderland on the other side.

[wakeangel]

Mirk felt bone shatter with a satisfying crunch as her roundhouse punch connected with assailant number Seventeen's skull. With graceful, deadly precision, she spun back in the other direction, her elbow smashing bone fragments from Eighteen's nose into his brain as she used a leg sweep to drop another. With her next step, she crushed Nineteen's windpipe.

“Get back here, you little shit,” she muttered as Twenty turned and fled, trying to make it out of the ring as if safety could be found there. A few short strides took her to the ropes. Grabbing the man by his hair, she pulled him back and hoisted him over her head. “If ya want out so bad, then here...” she tossed him from the ring, his shriek of terror cut abruptly short by the unyielding stone wall of the training room.

“Time!” she called, stepping out of the ring. A servant rushed forward bearing a towel and a sports bottle. Since she hadn't even broken a sweat, she disdained the towel, but took the bottle, sipping its contents as her trainer reported.

“One minute, twenty-three seconds, although technically the guy with the crushed windpipe isn't quite dead yet.”

“Oh for chrissakes!” Flinging the water bottle away in a fit of pique, she leapt the twenty feet back into the ring, landing with a sound like breaking potato chips on Nineteen's head. “Time?” She inquired with quiet menace.

“A minute thirty-two.” His tone subdued, he recognized when she'd reached her limit for smart-assed witticisms.

“I thought you said these guys could fight.”

“They can- could, for unarmed humans!”

“Then get me something better!”

“You were the one who told me that our people and customers were too valuable to waste, and half breeds don't exactly grow in the backyard like weeds, Mirk.”

“I don't care! This is ridiculous! Next time you'd better get someone who can actually hit me, or you'll tender your resignation in the ring!” Her trainer was spared further chastisement by the appearance of her harried-looking assistant. Mirk frowned, looking at him closely for the first time in several days.

Though she doubted his loyalty less than most, in the days since she acquired the vials, weight had flowed from his already spare frame until he looked more like a concentration camp survivor than a well-paid underling. Dark circles under his eyes attested to sleepless nights, and he looked at her like a man bound for the gallows.

Perhaps he was, she considered. If the packet he held clenched in his trembling hands held the information she sought, then every task he could perform in relation to her upcoming plans was finished. Perhaps, it would be best to retire the poor pathetic thing before he snapped and became a liability.

Without comment, she held out her hand. He plopped the files into it with a weighty thunk. As she flipped pages, he fidgeted. “I-I went through every single file ju-just like you said. These are the ones that fit your criteria the best.” He gulped when her eyes narrowed, knowing she'd spotted the obvious flaw in his work.

“Why are there no light-affiliated angels in here?”

“B-b-because none of them will go against the Creator! You know what they're like?! If they would, then they're renegade or Fallen...”

He continued to defend himself, but she tuned it out. Oh yes, she knew first hand what angels were like, and what they wouldn't do for their precious Creator, a Creator who could no longer be bothered with them or with his pet humans. Yet still they served, their faith blind, their swords flaming wrath upon those they perceived as unholy.

“Call Alejandro and tell him to meet me in my office in ten minutes.”

“Y-yes ma'am. If you'll look here, though,” he struggled to dial his phone and flip pages to a few profiles bookmarked in the back at the same time, “there are a few Renegades and Neutrals who might serve your purpose admirably, d-don't you think? A-and some of them are right here in the Compound!”

“Perhaps.” She skimmed the highlighted profiles during the few moments it took for him to finish his call and then snapped the file shut. “Goodbye Bernard, that'll be all.” Even as his eyes widened in realization, her hand shot out and snapped his neck like a twig.

The hapless Bernard forgotten before he hit the floor, Mirk strode towards the door, already contemplating breaking in her new assistant, the yummy half-demon Alejandro, and the letters that would shortly be going out all over the globe.

++++++++++

Hours later, Mirk sat at her desk, the small pool of light cast by her laptop the only illumination in the room. She scanned the letter, proofreading it for errors one last time.

Dear _______,

If you happen to be holding this letter in your hot little hands it means that at some point, somewhere, you've done something that caught my attention. In this case, that is a very good thing, as I have a proposition for you.

Included in this packet is an RSVP number, your room key (we're talking first-class, rock star treatment here) and, if you're not already here, tickets for round trip, all-expense paid airfare in a private jet to the infamous Mingus Munitions compound. If you find yourself uninterested in what I have to say, then I will give you fifty-thousand US dollars for your trouble, and my jet will take you anywhere in the world you wish to go.

Tell me this, though: What would you do if you could end The War once and for all, in any way you saw fit? If you want to find out how, just RSVP, baby.

Mirk
CEO
Mingus Munitions

A pile of packets sat on the desk just waiting for names and letters to be completed. Drake, Gabriel, Avis, The Emissary known as Lazarus Harp, Bernard had done some good work in finding that one, and several others would receive these by the day after tomorrow at the latest. And then? Then she would shake the world. All worlds.

The last letters still spitting out of the printer, she rose and walked over to the couch, smacking her new assistant on his bare backside. “Wake up hot-ass. This was your one free fuck up, got it? Don't ever fall asleep on the job again. I don't care how hard I ride you.” Her lips quirked in a suggestive smile, as a bruised, battered and thoroughly spent Alejandro stumbled to his feet.

“Get dressed. Then send these via courier. They are to be placed in the hands of the recipients only. Make that clear. They'll be RSVPing to your cell, so make sure it's charged and on your person at all times. When they call, arrange travel for them here, and I mean ultra-exclusive, mega-rich treatment. Whatever they want, they get. Their room keys are for suites on the penthouse level. You are to make sure they are well taken care of personally, understood?”

“Understood.” Alejandro bowed, eyes lowered. His precise movements and complete disregard for his state of undress cloaked him in all the dignity a three-piece suit might bestow upon a lesser being. Despite his submissive posture, his heart seethed with hatred, and a cold, hard implacability capable of suffering any indignity necessary to attain his revenge.

Mirk nodded once she was certain he had her orders straight, dismissed him from her mind and logged back onto her laptop to play some Mafia Wars.

[ElRey]

Unlike Avis, it was Lazarus’ full intention to waltz right through the front door of Mingus Munitions and demand an explanation. One would be hard pressed to find a doorman willing to say no to an Emissary, harder still would be finding one that could deal with the consequences. As it was his business to be informed of all the players on the board, Mirk had already been on Lazarus’ radar for quite a while. Her exploits, bravado and attitude preceded her.

In this case the “front door” was masked behind a supposedly family owned and operated market and gas station. The name Chaves blazoned across the front of the store in bold neon-red letters. Much like a curio-shop, from the outside it appeared no different than any other store. Even the inside played the part flawlessly. Soda, candy bars, crudely made hats supporting assorted sports teams, snacks and cigarettes all graced the walls and shelves of the cramped interior.

The counter looked largely abandon, the thick bulletproof glass that boxed in the cashier from unruly customers revealed nothing more than lottery tickets and Bic lighters. A small bell laid waiting for someone to bring to the attention of the clerk his latest visitor. Well-sculpted fingers neatly clacked the button, the hollow ring of the chime bouncing from the walls.

The cashier, as ignorant to Mirk’s plans as Lazarus himself, was shocked when the chime revealed the sharply dressed human. Though his face was not well known, his presence spoke volumes. Anyone even vaguely aware of the war could sense the air of power that oozed from the Emissary. Scorn read clear on his features, a fact that further drained the hapless cashiers color.

Lazarus said nothing, he didn’t have to; everyone, demon or angel, renegade or mere human knew the connotation of an Emissary’s visit. No one wanted to deal with them, nor did they wish to handle the fallout of refusing to do so.

As was common, the cashier’s clammy hands trembled as they picked up the phone. Placing the receiver to her mouth the clerk kept her eyes locked on the Emissary, as if at any moment he might end her life. It was clear this was a commonly used entrance; the key code was dialed without so much as a downward glance.

On the opposite end, Alejandro picked up the phone, confusion creasing his forehead. There were no scheduled visitors through Chaves Market, not for several hours anyway. The fear in the woman’s tone was clear, both in her heavy breathing and the stammer of her voice, causing his brow to furrow further.

“S-s-suh-sir? You’d had b-b-best tell the boss to turn on Camera 10…” An audible swallow followed the tail off of her voice. “W-w-wuh-we’ve got company.”

Lazarus’ eyes swiveled up to the camera poised on his upper left. Glaring into its lens, he cocked an eyebrow, irritation plain as the nose on his face. Briefly he pondered if the tales and rumors surrounding the M.M. CEO held any water, and if so what would that mean for his visit. And how did it all fit in with what he had been hearing…

If the balance of power was really to be thrown into chaos, then it begged the question: Who was pulling the strings? How were they doing? And perhaps most importantly; why?

[Ruu]

Yet another dark alley filled with grinding and groaning, whether it was from machines or tortured souls, the young angel boy did not known and did not care to find out. He had eyes the color of emeralds, oddly bright and out of place in such a dark, lurid atmosphere. His hair once soft and blond was now dirtied and tousled, matted in places where blood had dried. His once simple, white raiment had been reduced to tatters, such as one would see on a beggar or a slave. It was mottled with dirt and red stains reminiscent of the wounds inflicted on his body. His glorious wings were hidden from view, at least to those unskilled in the ways of magic. A simple illusion caused them to blend into the background, but one could catch an extremely brief glimpse of them if Arin were to go from extremely different atmospheres, such as from dark to light. Not that there was much light in the compound as it was...

He stumbled wearily along, shivering even in the heat of the compound, perhaps more from memories than from the chill. It had all been such a blur. One moment he had been with his mother, mixing herbs, and the next she had shielded him with her wings, wings that became as hard as diamonds. An explosion had rocked their home, and when his mother's wings withdrew, the village was on fire...On fire with a thousand souls screaming and a single being with a crooked, twisted grin causing the burning to spread everywhere. The demon had immediately set his sights on the angel boy and his mother, the only ones to survive the carnage. His mother had tried to protect him valiantly, but the demon had caught hold of him, pulling him away. It was then his mother cried out in anguish and his father had appeared, clad in all the glory a General of Heaven could muster. But it was not enough...When Gabriel had moved to attack the demon, it had merely laughed and raked Arin's back with his claws, enough to draw an agonized cry of pain from the young angel. Gabriel had faltered, and in that instant, the demon had disappeared, dragging him to the depths of a strange compound...A flash of steel had met them in the alley...And a cloaked figure had picked up the injured boy. Arin had blacked out, only to open his eyes to this swirling dervish of a nightmare. And so now he walked, searching for the exit...For survival...

Arin had tried to heal his wounds...The claw marks stretching down his back in an angry red...The blows to the side of his head, the dark magicks used to instill fear inside of him...But he was so powerless, so drained, even the normally simple task of healing his wounds had failed him. They were closed up at the moment, but hastily. A small injury could easily open them again, and Arin knew it. He winced thinking of the wounds his mother had suffered. He knew she was an angel and could not be so easily defeated, but still he worried for her. Were his parents looking for him even now? They had to be, right? They loved him and they wouldn't leave him to die here. He trusted in them and believed in them.

So intent was he on his thoughts, he didn't notice the poorly dressed gentleman sauntering over to him with a cocky grin on his face.

"Hey kid, whatchya doin all alone? Shouldn't you be at work right now? If your Master found out you were all alone, well...let's just say I'd stand to profit on this vital bit of information," said the man with a sneer on his cruel lips.

Arin's eyes widened and he stumbled backwards, trying not to cry, "I-I...I'm not a slave...I-I'm just trying to leave. I need to get home."

"Home? Ha! In denial are ya? Well, this isn't your lucky day. Tell me the name of your master, kid, or do I have to wring it out of you?" he snarled.

Arin didn't know what to say. The idea of owning anyone as a slave was repugnant to him. He knew it was still practiced but it didn't make it right. He didn't have time to think as a fist flew towards him. He barely had the presence of mind to hop backwards and float in the air with the use of his wings for support. The man gave him a strange look, tilting his head to the side.

"You ain't no ordinary human, are ya?" he asked slowly.

Arin panicked, falling to the ground as he glanced around for escape. Though he was not street-wise, he knew that it was not a good idea to let anyone know who he truly was.

[Immortal1]

Two men fled down a alley, away from eyes of any of the humans, Angels or Demons. Two mean were running from a large shadow in pursuit of them, as if the devil himself were after their souls. "Keep running! We will lose him!" The fatter of the two men started to lag behind after a full minute of continuous moment. "How are you sure I am a HIM?! Why could I not be a IT!? A HIM requires a Soul...which I seem to lack now a days...how about you give me yours!?" The fat man dropped to his knees in terror and gripped his chest, pain and fear mixed to cripple him.

Darkness filled his eyes, a slight pause eased into his mind then suddenly...snap! A bright red claw sliced into the jugular vein, spilling the life essence of the human. He passed over and for a split second he saw what was in the dark, what it was he had a strong fear of that suddenly just appeared in his life just a minute ago. The demon was smiling, his red teeth glisten with the blood that had been flung from the open wound. "Keep this in mind human...your blood is like a fine wine to me...but you taste better afraid."

"Nooooo!!"

"Hahahahahaha!! Your fear makes me feel so warm and fuzzy! is this happiness?! I have not felt so in such a long time!"

"What do you want!?"

"Your soul!"

Like a mist, Drake's from formed around him and started to choke the life out of him, he entered the man's lungs keeping the air out. two minutes passed and the man passed out, ten minutes later his soul left his body only to be consumed by Drake.

"A night of blood and souls....good banquet."

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed another shadow moving down the alley. "Help! help!" The cries came from a woman, of Russian decent it seemed based on her accent. "I'm in the mood...alright I'll help her."

Drake stuck to the wall like a spider in the shadows, his form blended in to the wall, his demonic form gone now, just his 6'5 320lb hulking human form. Second later he was right, a woman ran but but was tackled to the floor by a man.

"Rape victim eh?"

"Please, don't do this!"

Her pleas were on deaf ears as he had begun to grope her and kiss and slobber all on her neck. "Please...no!"

This was interesting to drake, the woman was a half angel and the man was fully human, and yet she did not use her obvious superior status against him. "Don't...I....I...no." Her shirt was torn open, revealing a black laced bra, her bust being very large and he groped them both. "Your a slut, you want this!"

"No!"

The word Slut brought Drake back to a time when just he and his mother were living in a broke down apartment in a very bad part of Brooklyn. His mother was out of necessity a hooker, to place food on the table and get him, when need be, into a school.

"Mother..."

"Someone there?"

Drake's words brought the rapist's attention to his spot, seeing no point in hiding Drake stepped out. "Your evil deeds are something Hell would lust for sir." A sharp object stuck into Drake's belly. "Hmmm?" Looking down he saw a knife in his stomach. "Really? your going to stab me?" He grabbed the wrist and snapped it like a twig.

"GAAAW!"

He dropped to his knees as the bone had broken the skin, blood seeped from the wound. A smiling Drake winked at the woman and then proceed to uppercut the man into the air, braking his neck from the whiplash. He turned to the woman after losing sight of the flying body.

"Excuse me...what is your name?"

"Drake."

"Thank you Drake..."

"Your name?"

"Natalya..."

"Natalya...beautiful name....tell me something Natalya..."

"Yes?"

"Have you ever dance with the devil under the moon light?"

Her back was pressed against the wall, her legs were lifted up to his hips and her screams echoed in the night...but not screams of terror and pain...

[Hisoka]

His steps carried the demon slayer down the stairs of the hotel, the guests unaware of who or what he was. And Avis liked it that way for the element of surprise was worth all the considerable power at his disposal. The monsters he hunted, they could be considered nothing less, lived in the shadows worshiping the evil and greed in their heart. And so too did this half blood demon for a man's home may be a sacred place but a monster had no such right.


He could have marched through the front doors in all his glory, the demonic half of him would have enjoyed the bloodshed and battle. But such things were distasteful to his humanity, for not every demon was a monster, Avis was living proof of this. Then again not every Angel was a Saint, the ruler of this city was living proof of this. Mirk for all her angelic blood harbored shadows in her heart darker then even some full blooded demons. She, or rather what she represented, made it impossible for Avis to view the world as black and white as nearly everyone did.

He would kill her or maybe he wouldn't. Avis always gave every opponent a chance at redemption, a chance to surrender and chose the light that burned in even the darkest heart. For his humanity would accept nothing less or nothing more. It was his rebellion at his birth, his way of proving he was more then the sum of his parents. A being born of lust and hate to fulfill a Demon Lord's ambitions was what fate had decreed for Avis. But here he was in an underground city stalking a prey he knew little of, but then again the half demon had always been a quick learner.

Through a lavishly appointed entrance foyer ,where the guest gathered for their decadent meals while the slaves of the compound lived in fear of punishment, Avis strolled through. In any other place the sight of his heavily armed appearance would have caused chaos. But the guests thought nothing of his presence, if only they knew what this half demon truly was. But the demon slayer walked right past them ignoring them. He could slaughter these guests till he rotted but it would accomplish little beyond a warm up. Mirk and those of her ilk where his real targets, the real shakers and movers of the underworld. Killing even one was enough for Avis, although in his somewhat short career as a demon slayer he had killed many of the real players of the game. For the power vacuum the death of even one person like Mirk left was enough to destroy whole armies of the darkness that festered in places like the compound.

Out onto the streets of the compound strode the half blood demon, the stench of evil was even greater then it had been atop the hotel. The silent screams of the slaves, the fury of his demonic brethren, the insidious sin of fallen angels, and the groaning of the machines blended into a symphony of suffering and hate. How could even his demonic brethren ignore this, but even as the thought crossed his mind Avis dismissed it. For he had walked the paths of hell and the compound was naught but a mere echo of the evil there.

" Such things can not go unpunished." He said quietly to himself his hands clasped together as if in prayer, head bent as if in contemplation. No doubt it was an odd sight here in the den of the Lion. But it was not to the creator he directed his thought. It was to himself, or rather to the demon within him. For it was the source of his power, in the end he was a demon if only a half blooded one. He struggled daily with that fact. The demonic fury within him wanted nothing more then battle and bloodshed. And at times he gave in to that fury for it elevated him above his enemy, at least ability wise. But he always felt guilty afterward, for how could he champion justice using demonic power. And so at times like this he blocked out the voice in his head with an old mediation technique taught to him by the man who had taught Avis the beginnings of combat.


The fury within stilled for awhile the demon slayer walked on down the dark streets, his silver and ebony eyes absorbing all they saw. The cries of the suffering, the demons cruelly tormenting yet another victim. And at this Avis could not walk by.


" Leave him alone." Avis commanded them, his voice holding a sword's edge to it. It was a tone that would brook no argument and this demons knew it.


" Who the fuck are you half-wit." The obvious leader of their band spoke, his voice too held a sword's edge to it. His men circled the demon slayer grins upon their face, it had been a long time since a real battle was thrown their way. In their hands they held knives, only a fool brings knife to a gun fight.


" Who I am is of no importance, either leave him alone and pray for redemption or be prepared to return to the foul pits that spawned you." The demon slayer replied dropping into a casual and relaxed fighting stance. Feet shoulder width apart, hands held loosely at his sides and coincidentally with in quick draw range of his pistols. His back held a slight backwards lean to it while his eyes roamed over the demons surrounding him. And in those silver and ebony orbs burned a fell light, a demons fury that these denizens of hell knew all too well.


" I suppose your right, a dead man has no name." Was all their leader said in reply as he stared down Avis, his eyes too burned with demonic fury. The battle had commenced and for a few heartbeats the staring match went on. For both parties knew each other as equals of sorts, this fight would come down to reaction time. A pity a gunslinger has superb reaction time.

The demons as one charged, careful to keep room to maneuver, their knives glinted even in the dim light of the compound as they where thrust for the age old gut thrust. Avis in a show of honed reflexes leaped forward clearing the ring of steel and flesh. Landing lightly on his feet he spun, drawing his pistols at the same time. And in but a few heartbeats had emptied both clips into his attackers, the shots rang loud in the streets. The .50 cal rounds tore through the demon's flesh, while not lethal even a demon had trouble ignoring that kind of damage. Dropping his pistols to the ground Avis drew his sword, Punishment. Forged of a divine metal it was a weapon he used to fulfill his role as a true demon slayer.


The demons once more rushed him their knives held close for defense. Weaving around each thrust with the grace of a dancer he put Punishment to work. The inevitable nicks got through, a claymore simply was not the best weapon against knives close up. But as the .50 cal rounds had been shrugged off by the demons so too did the slayer ignore the lacerations that marked him.

Cleaving straight ahead he brought Punishment down and sideways cleaving their leader nearly in half. Yanking the claymore out with a single and effortless pull he thrust forward impaling the divine blade through the leader's heart. And in a bright shower of light the demon was banished from this world back to the depths of hell.

But so too did Avis find himself hard pressed for the remaining demons had gotten their fair share of stabs in while he had pulled the claymore form their leaders body. Bleeding from a dozen or so minor wounds the demon slayer grinned his own maniacal smile. For he could feel the fury within him building, the demon within wanted freedom and Avis gave it to him.

The demonic energy within cascaded until finally his human form was gone replaced by the visage of a demon. Then for the first time in their lives the demons Avis faced knew fear of a sorts. For where he had been a match for them in human form with the blood of his father flowing through his veins he was now their superior. To their credit they backed down not a single inch, for demons lived for combat.

But in the end the demon slayer could not be denied and so they to ended up following their leader back to the depths of hell. Roaring with the pleasure of the battle the demon within Avis left. Hitting the ground with the exhaustion the change always wrought in him the half blood demon picked up his pistols, reloaded and holstered them. Sheathing Punishment He got back up.


"Well there goes the element of surprise." He muttered to himself, although no disappointment laced his voice whatsoever. For he had followed his heart wholly in this matter and that was the key to true happiness in the end. He served neither Heaven or Hell but the light within his own heart.


Once more he strode on, for the battle had only just begun.

[Ruu]

"No, he isn't normal, human. But he isn't yours either...He's mine..." hissed another voice, as strong, horrible arms wrapped Arin in a strangled hold.

Arin gasped in shock, straining just to breath and trying to hold back a sob of fright.

"He's an angel, I can smell it," the voice continued, and now Arin had no doubt that the one who had kidnapped him was another demon.

"N-no...p-please..." he sobbed in a strangled voice, "L-let me go...I-I...I didn't...do anything wrong..."

"Let you go?" laughed the demon incredulously, "Now why would I do that? Looks like there's fresh meat here, boys, come on out!"

Other demons began to crowd around, drawn by the prospect of harming another victim. The human who had first attempted to harm Arin, however, was now nowhere to be seen. He had wisely decided that when a group of demons were involved it was best for humans to disappear. Arin tried to shut out the terrible voices of the demons and especially his captor, whose fiery breath was on his neck.

"Let's clip those wings of his! Look how he tries to hide them..."

Arin flinched at the snap of one of his wings, now completely broken and useless...

"We can make him bleed, make him wish he'd never left his precious Heaven..."

A flash of pain tore through his body as something sharp bit into his shoulder.

"We'll take his soul. Drag him into the Netherworld. That'll learn him!"

The angel child felt faint as his breath was slowly constricted, and he barely heard another voice. He saw little of the skirmish that lasted, but what he saw shocked him. A man single-handedly fought against the horde of demons. Shots rang out...A sword was drawn...The demon leader was split in two...Yet it seemed as if the man was hard pressed for he was already bleeding and wounded. Arin wasn't sure if they were lethal or superficial. He wanted to help, somehow, but was too weak. And then...the man completely transformed into what could only be described as a demon. With a sudden ferocity the demon-man completely annihilated Arin's remaining tormentors. Nonchalantly, the demon had become a man again and begun to walk off. Finally regaining his wits, Arin followed after him, swallowing his fear. The man had saved him, even if he had used demonic powers. The angel felt as if he at least owed the man some word of thanks. And perhaps...just perhaps he could help him escape and return to his parents...

"P-please...sir...wait..." he said breathlessly, most likely looking pitiful with one wing bent and broken in an odd shape and his shoulder still trickling with blood, "P-please...I just wanted to...to thank you..."

[Hisoka]

"P-please...I just wanted to...to thank you..."


The voice of a terrified child not yet a man made Avis pause, he had forgotten the reason why the fight had started in the first place. The torment of the innocent had drawn his ire and now that innocent tried to thank him, albeit in a stuttering tone. Turning to face the source of the voice the demon slayer took in this innocent. And a sorry enough sight he was, his injuries not only of the body of the mind if that stuttering tone was anything to go by. Clothed in little more then rags the innocent still shone with the angelic beauty his obvious heritage gave him. No half blood this innocent was a full fledged angel wings and all, even if one of them was broken.

A pure angel, well I'll be damned...guess the monsters wanted a little play toy. Avis thought with distaste. He had little use for self-righteous Angels but this guy was little more then a kid and even a Angel had a right to a happy childhood.


"Your welcome, what's an angel doing down here. You some sicko's slave or something...Guess this place is worse then I thought." The half blood spoke with the same distaste he felt in his head, felt with his very soul. People like this angel were why he got up in the morning, they were the fuel for his fire as it were. And to see one hurt like this,even an Angel, was almost as bad as watching his mother die...The worse part about situations like this was Avis knew he couldn't stop them all. But at least he had stopped this one and he would sleep a little easier for it.

" But you really want to thank me either keep running or learn how to fight...that is if your planning to spend any time down in this stinking place which I seriously hope isn't your intention kid...Look you got a name or something I feel kind of stupid calling you kid...My name is Avis....well just Avis for now, I'd rather not use my father's name if you know what I mean." He added almost as an after thought as he studied this angel further. " After all you know what they say about half-breeds and their fathers."

No doubt the angel in question would find being studied rather annoying, no doubt he felt like some slide under a microscope. But something stirred in the back of the half demon's mind, disjointed images of some place high up in the skies, blue sky and utter peace and a full fledged angel who shared this one's features only older. It was his latent ability to catch glimpses of the future acting up but as usual the images made little sense to him, in battle they were easy to decipher. Well easier then when it hit him out of the blue so to speak, the dimly lit compound had no clear skyline.

What am I suppose to do with this kid, leaving him on his own is a bad idea. He was in no shape to fight and that was before the busted wing..That will heal up rather quickly on it's own but the fact remains he's in no shape to fight. I am willing to bet he doesn't even know how to fight. But taking him with me is even a worse idea, I am on no stroll in the park after all...Decisions, decisions.... Avis mused further unable to accept leaving the kid alone in a city full of demons and fallen. Monsters that would like nothing more then to finish what the demons he had just slain started. But taking him with him to the no doubt many battles he would fight seemed just as a bad idea as leaving him. After all there was no way he could guarantee the angelic kid's safety especially given fighting demons demanded his undivided attention. Something a defender couldn't afford.


And with the fight in the streets security was sure to come to at the very least investigate. And given the number of witnesses that had watched the fight before running they were sure be gunning for him. Mirk no doubt would not appreciate such a disturbance as open conflict on the streets. And with Avis's rather unique appearance, especially his different colored eyes stealth was out of the question. His demonic brethren held no love for a demon slayer like him, and the fallen well he had burnt that bridge the first day on the job. And the few humans here were either slaves or in league with the demons and fallen. Normally he would not care such things could be taken care with his skills and power but this innocent whom he had helped to live up to his oath complicated matters.

Then again when did a half demon who killed demons for a living ever searched for the easy way out. He had a oath to live up and as such he was going to. Even if it was a bad idea at the moment, but bad ideas be damned. His life had become one bad idea after other starting with turning from his Father's ambitions, what was one angel compared to that?

[Ruu]

As Arin's savior surveyed the angel, Arin quietly regarded him. His different-colored eyes...The strength that seemed to emanate from his bronzed, muscled body...The silver lines streaking his coal black hair...Even his clothing spoke of strength and power, a self-confidence Arin lacked. But what was to be expected? He had been sheltered his entire life, and this most likely contributed to him looking much younger than his 16 years, though 16 years was indeed very young compared to other angels. To go from a loving home through the destruction of a village, the death of all his friends, the harm that had come to his mother, the torture of the demonic captors, and the maze of deadly underground passageways would be trying for anyone. Let alone one who had never known anything but love and kind words and the hope and light of his angelic mother. He had even been shielded from the self-righteous attitude so many angels seemed to hold. Even if his father was a general of Heaven, with Arin and his mother he had just been Father. Arin looked up into the half-demon's eyes, realizing Avis was speaking to him.

"I-I'm not a slave, sir," he whispered, praying that this man would believe him unlike the others, "I...I was taken from home...from my mother...b-by a demon...S-someone else helped me once before, but I got lost from him and now I'm all alone."

"I don't...think I could learn how to fight," said the boy slowly, "I...didn't know about fighting before...M-Mother and Father didn't tell me anything like this existed...I want to just get out of this scary place...b-back to my mother and father."

When Avis asked him his name, Arin brightened a bit. It made him feel a bit more human than those who had just called him slave or brat.

"M-my name is Arin, son of Alaria and Gabriel. It's nice to meet you, Sir Avis. A-and I understand," replied Arin, though he really didn't.

In fact, he hadn't known half-breeds existed until. Well, he hadn't even known about demons before the demon had attacked the village. Arin didn't even think that his own appearance and mentioning his parent's names might trigger something more in Avis' mind. He was going to be completely truthful with Avis because the half-demon had been so kind in rescuing him. No thought of betrayal ever entered his young mind.

Arin hesitated again as the half-demon studied him. What was he thinking? Was he deciding whether to help him leave or not? Arin's heart surged with hope. He knew the Creator wouldn't abandon him! Nor would his parents. All the prayers had finally worked, granting him a savior. This could be no mere coincidence. Even sheltered, Arin knew that alone he wouldn't survive a night in the compound. It seemed that demons were everywhere, demons intent on doing him harm. But...not all demons were bad, were they? Avis wasn't bad at all in Arin's mind, even if he was a half demon. Avis decided to place all his trust in this man, and with that the words came rushed and hurriedly...

"P-please sir, please can I go with you? I...I'm scared and I don't know this place at all. I...I know I'm useless at fighting and I'd be a burden, but I could help some. I know how to heal, and I'd be happy to heal your wounds. I feel bad you got hurt because of me...A-and I know how to make illusions with light. I could maybe hide us..." he blurted out, hoping against hope this man would agree to stay with him, to protect him from the deepest of night, "A-and if you need some kind of payment, I-I'm sure my Father and Mother would give you anything you wanted. I-I know they're looking for me."

Arin wasn't trying to bribe him; he had no concept of bribery. But he knew at least that most people asked for payment outside of his village, at least that's what his friends had said.

[Hisoka]

The denial of being a slave, the explanation of why the angel was in the compound, even the denial of knowing how to fight all faded into white noise for Avis when the kid introduced himself. The implications of such matters nearly making the half-breed's head explode, a look of shock and disbelief written large on his normally unemotional and unreadable face. He simply was too busy thinking to maintain the passive facade.

The Archangel Gabriel is the kid's father....you have got to be shitting me. The demon slayer thought marshaling his wits together and schooling his face back into it's unreadable status.

" Gabriel as in one of three Generals of Heaven, the angel that helped charter the peace treaty between Heaven and Hell....He is your father. One of the most powerful beings in existence is your Father....And I thought this was complicated before." Avis said quietly more to himself then to Arin, this was beginning to shape up to a day of days.

And here on the streets of a underground city, next to the remains of a battle fought with demons Avis stood before the son of Gabriel who all but begged for his help. He had been of a mind to help the kid before his parentage but now it was out of his hands. Honestly who in their right mind would risk angering a General of Heaven. Avis entertained no ideas of standing against a General of Heaven but if he were to leave Arin here that would happen.

I mean what I am suppose to say to Gabriel....Looking after your kid seemed like too much trouble so I left him in a city full of demons intent on killing people like your son....maybe if you hurry you might find enough of him to fill a tea cup. The half breed thought with a little sigh.

Then again he had planned on helping the angelic kid from the start, it was the least the humanity in him would accept.

" Look Arin don't worry about my wounds, half demons because of their demonic heritage heal quite rapidly. And there not that bad to begin with. And I'd save your power until you need it, which probably won't be long if Mirk has anything to say about it." He said addressing the angel with what he hoped was an encouraging smile." As for my payment don't worry about we'll consider this one on the house, I really not rather push my luck with Heaven. Half-demons aren't exactly welcomed with open arms by Angels and given your story I doubt Gabriel would be inclined to be thankful to a demon. But how about your put in good word for me with your fellow angels, I could use the good publicity."


Avis took in another breath, this was turning into a day of days. What had started out as a simple enough kill a bunch of demons assignment had turned into him body guard for a son of Gabriel. Life was never simple when you turned against your brethren.

" Look I am not going to lie Arin, I can't guarantee your safety although I will try my hardest. But I need your promise that if things look like they are going south to use your illusions and run like you never run before. To the surface if possible and then to a church, the priests or pastors they will help you once you proven your an angel. If not find a place in the city I'll be able to find you, preferably somewhere public with security around. Demons won't risk attacking you when security is around Mirk runs a tight ship most of the time." Avis furthered making sure Arin knew the dangers of traveling with a demon slayer in a place like the compound.

The dim light of the compound seemed to darken as the last words of the half demon's speech left his lips as if a reminder of the darkness around them. Not that either of them needed such a reminder. This pair knew of the dangers, one by experience, the other by trauma.


A demon protecting an Angel...Someone must be laughing their heads off right about now....Fate you are a cruel mistress. Avis thought with a sort of grim if ironic amusement. His track record with the denizens of the heavenly realm were anything but good. Sometimes the half-breed thought the only reason they put up with him was a common enemy.

[Ruu]

Arin tilted his head to the side in confusion as Avis seemed genuinely shocked that he was Gabriel's son. Arin knew of his father's status, of course, but to him Gabriel had always been Father or Daddy. To think that others feared him or even were in awe of him was unfathomable to Arin's mind, and in that way it probably wasn't as formed as many of the older angels. He still held a very simplistic, naive view of the world...a view that had suddenly been turned upside down during this ordeal.

"My Father is very powerful," nodded Arin, "And he would be here if he knew where I was. But...why do you think that makes it complicated?"

Arin didn't really understand that hatred between the Angels and the demons. As stated before, he hadn't really known demons existed until one attacked his village. So the idea that Gabriel might be extremely harsh on a half-demon never occurred to him. It also never entered his mind that he was extremely lucky that Avis believed him. Others might have dismissed him for a lunatic, and if they didn't, he probably would have found himself worse off than before, a pawn in a political game.

When Arin heard Avis' words of agreement to help him and smiled, the young angel couldn't contain his joy. His face lit with a brilliant smile, and his body illuminated with a faint light. The light he held under his control often fluctuated with his mood.

"O-oh, thank you so much Sir Avis! You are a real hero!" he laughed delightedly, unable to refrain from giving his rescuer a quick hug, though he wasn't sure if it would be appreciated, "It's so kind of you to help me. I promise I'll tell the angels everything how you were a hero and saved me from the bad demons and helped me escape. I'm sure my Father will be thankful, you'll see. I don't think he'd think bad of you just because of how you were born. That's not your fault. He'll just see that you are a hero and a good person and that's all that matters."

Arin truly didn't understand that most likely his father would still have enmity or prejudice against even a half-demon, especially when demons were the cause of Arin's abduction and torture. But then again, Arin had a hold of Gabriel's heart strings. Even the Great General of Heaven might make exceptions for someone who saved his son from certain death.

When Avis continued speaking, Arin's face became more grave and he nodded his head in understanding. He knew this place was very dangerous, having experienced it firsthand, and if they ran into a group of attackers he understood Avis might not be able to continually protect him. Besides, it wouldn't be fair to ask Avis to endanger his own life either. Arin would feel bad running away if things got rough...He didn't want to desert his newfound friend, but...He knew the promise was important and necessary.

"I...I promise," nodded Arin, his voice barely above a whisper as the light itself seemed to darken, even around his own body, "If things look bad I-I'll look for a way out or for a safe place. B-but I hope I can stay with you because you're nice and I'd be scared on my own. I wouldn't...wouldn't know what to do if I got caught again by those people...I just don't understand why they were so unkind to me...D-did I do something wrong? A-am I bad and that's why they hurt me cuz I deserved it?"

Again, Arin didn't understand that some people hurt others just because they could, or just because they had power or hated another race. Even the demon attack hadn't taught him that. He thought someone must have angered the demon somehow...Though it didn't make it right.

Arin was still close to Avis now, after having given him a hug, and had already healed his own bleeding shoulder. His wing still hung lopsided, crooked, and broken, but it would mend with some time. He carefully constructed another illusion around his own wings to make them appear as merely a bundle of rags. He hoped that would be the most inconspicuous choice.

"Do I need to hide anything else with the illusions or change what we look like?" he asked, looking up at the much taller man.

[Shadow]

"This is the gym?"

Looking around the gym, Gabriel took in the traditional look of a Japanese DoJo and the bamboo carpet flooring. The texture felt good under his feet as soon as he removed them before entering. The floor was good to grip your feet to keep one from sliding around. "May I ask you your name Demon?

Clearing his throat, "Bruno, one of Mirk's oldest assistants."

Gabriel nodded, walking to a heavy punching bag, striking it with a right straight, left hook and lifting right knee combination. Swinging around Gabriel hit the bag with full force, ripping the bag open spilling the sand inside.

"What kind of bag was this?"

"Specially made for Mirk herself...a eight hundred pound bag, it can take over fifteen hundred pounds of force before it brakes...which obviously you exceeded."

The halfbreed dropped his hands and looked slightly sad, "Is there anything in here I can use to work out?"

"Yea..."

Bruno was removing his outer jacket and loosened his tie. "Care to have a sparring session with me halfbreed?" Gabriel smiled and bowed, "Yes!" Rolling his neck and his arms, Bruno lightly hopped across the floor towards Gabriel in a boxing stance, the latter in a Wing Chun stance.

Throwing out a few jabs which bruno followed up with a left cross and right uppercut, Gabriel parried the cross and ducked the hook but was caught with the uppercut. Staggering back and dropping to one knee, Gabriel shook his head feeling rocked. Bruno rushed him, throwing wild haymakers, missing Gabriel with inches to spar.

The demon through his body into a uppercut at Gabriel, but missed as Gabe side stepped and stated to chain punch, punches with a machine gun like effect. Each blow lacked critical damage but each had harming effect.

Taking all he could to block, Bruno began to back step, His eyes became blood red, as Gabe's eyes became ocean blue.

A camera zoomed in on both them, the Camera worker send the feed straight to Mirk's office.

Bruno grabbed Gabe and pulled him into a bear hug. He greeted the hug with a headbutt, being released from it. "ARGHH!!" Blood dripped from Bruno's nose, "Good shot kid...but I think we need to cut this short..."

Pointing to his ear piece, "Mirk wants to see me..."

[wakeangel]

Mirk watched with fascination through the environmentally sealed plexiglass as the bubbling mass of tissue that had used to belong to her finance department twitched once more and then lay still. The accountant's body fizzled for a few more moments before there were no longer enough white blood cells in her body to sustain the reaction. Two minutes. That's all it took to take a thieving employee from perfect health to a pile of leftovers.

She hit the recall button on the controller, going over the data she'd collected on the nanites' effectiveness so far. They gathered themselves into a small, inert oval that rolled to the door and waited for collection. Fatal damage to humans from a one drop dose took about a minute, twice that for half breeds, and twice again for full demons. Each time they burned through an immune system, they replicated fast enough to finish their task in greater numbers than when they started. She now had five vials of human targeted nanites, three of demon and two-thirds of a second angel vial. The professor had also supplied two more remote controls, with a third on the way.

Opening the door to scoop up the ball and return it to its vial, she released the stench of death, intestinal juices, fear and... meat. A muffled noise to her right drew her eyes away from the silvery ball as it liquefied and flowed into the glass jar. The pale-faced professor's mouth was drawn in a tight line that trembled slightly as he smelled the carnage his research had made possible. Despite his horror at discovering how far down the rabbit hole he'd fallen, fear for his eleven year-old daughter kept him quite cooperative.

"At least you didn't yak this time," she told him disdainfully, patting his chest in disinterested approval. "I expect a full analysis and the third remote on my desk in the morning."

"Chop! Chop!" she added impatiently when he hesitated, sending him scurrying away.

He claimed to be only a short way from creating an inhibitor that would render a person immune, but he'd almost done his job too well. The tiny machines were proving to be even tougher to thwart than expected. She retained faith in his ability to come through for her though - now that he knew that the final test run would be performed on his little Ashley. He'd better succeed. She needed him whole, not grieving. Grief-stricken individuals often did stupid things.

Alejandro slid into place at her left, giving the mess in the observation room the barest glance as he reported, “A slight situation, Mistress. It seems we have a small breach.”

Before she could begin snapping out orders, he continued smoothly, his long, elegant fingers flying over his small data pad to bring up the relevant security footage, "Yesterday a wall was knocked out in the lower levels of the Miramark Hotel, with caves and tunnels leading towards the surface beyond. I already have construction crews in place to collapse the tunnels and fix the hole, but I thought you might be interested to see just who has decided to grace us with his presence."

He held up the pad so she could see the playback. The camera angle showed clearly the face of the man who emerged from the nondescript janitorial closet, a face whose photo and file she'd held in her hands just last night when writing invitations to her little end the War party. Avis.

"Find him," she snapped. Brought in as she carefully planned, he could be of tremendous use in her plans. Roaming free in the Compound, he could cause her all manner of trouble.

"I already have the Response Team on it," Alejandro said with placating humility, and was rewarded with a nod of approval from Mirk. The Response Team was the Compound's policing agency, used primarily to maintain order and surveillance, they were the appropriate choice in this situation. Security cameras covered nearly all public areas of the city and quite a few private ones, so it was only a matter of time before Avis was found.

Aside from his first faux pas, Alejandro had continually impressed her with his smooth handling of her affairs in the short time since his promotion. She hadn't failed to notice that he sometimes used his efficiency to control situations, but so long as he didn't push it too far, she was more than willing to allow him some leniency. Already she was wishing that she'd retired what's-his-name long ago. Being presented with concise, timely information and solutions in progress instead of disasters in the making was a refreshing change.

Alejandro excused himself to take a call, returning a moment later with new footage, this a time live feed from the Chavez Market entrance, for her to view. Mirk arched an eyebrow, exchanging mystified glances with her assistant as another face from yesterday's files scowled up at her. Lazarus Remington Harp, the Emissary. Yet another hoped for ally who could cause her irreparable harm if not handled carefully. It had to be more than coincidence that the two who stood to cause her the most problems in all of this decided to crash the party all on their own. Interesting.

Emissaries did have a reputation for being in place at exactly the right moment to accomplish their goals, perhaps it was no more than that. Or maybe Bernard hadn't been as clever in finding the Emissary as she thought and had somehow tipped him off to her interest. Still, Mirk didn't trust the timing. With a thoughtful frown, she nodded, and Alejandro's smoky baritone passed along the affirmative.

“This will have to be handled delicately, so I want you to take care of it personally. See him to one of the executive suites, and give him the rock star service he doesn't know I promised him– sex, parties, whatever. I want him monitored and followed inside the Compound, though-" Her smile was sly. "For his protection, of course. Inform me of his intentions.”

Dismissing both Alejandro and the mess her new toy had made without a backward glance, she headed back towards her office to plan her strategy. She brought up the Chavez Market footage on her phone, trying to get a feel for Lazarus. She'd had her head too deeply in the game last night when typing up letters to pay much attention to looks, but she had to admit now that he was actually kinda hot.

In fact, several of her new playthings were. Idly, she scrolled down the list of names. Gabriel's had a surveillance link attached to it. Curious, she clicked it, finding him sparring in her dojo. Also quite yummy looking, she smiled, fingers twitching with a desire for a good match herself. Maybe it was time to rethink her personal ban on sparring with residents and guests. So long as they knew up front they might die, what was the harm, right? Not that they ever believed her. Not her problem, she decided, dialing Bruno before the thought was even fully formed.

"Office. Now. And you'd better not bleed on my carpet," she added as Gabriel smashed her lackey's nose. Nice. Maybe Gabriel should get to go first.

[Hisoka]

Avis did not particularly like being hugged, his mother had been somewhat cold and distant most of his childhood. But then again what do you expect from a woman who had fallen in love with a demon. As a result the child had grown independent fast and soon grew a distaste for physical contact of an emotional sort. But he bore Arin's hug and words of thanks with silent patience, merely listening as he promised to tell both his father and heaven of his deeds within the compound. Frankly the demon slayer thought it would be of little avail, most Angels simply couldn't see past his demonic blood to what he had accomplished. Then again the half-breed could care less what Heaven thought for he didn't need Heaven anymore then he needed his demonic brethren.

But as Arin went on to speak of his gratitude and then question why the events of his life had transpired like that Avis felt a slight sickening of his mind. The kid was practically blaming himself instead of searching for a true meaning, granted he was still somewhat young but this was unbearable. For although Avis had only known of the Heaven and Hell war for but a short 2 years he had amassed a considerable knowledge of all three worlds part in it. Then again the demon slayer had no idea exactly how sheltered the kid's life had been. All he thought was that surely a full blood angel would have a deeper understanding of such matters.


Avis was on the cusp of actually saying so out loud but Arin's question forestalled his words.

"Do I need to hide anything else with the illusions or change what we look like?"

The demon slayer entertained telling the him yes, to go ahead with the illusions but as quickly discarded the idea. His true objective in this stinking hole was Mirk, after all cut the head and the body will fall. And the security team that was no doubt looking for him would doubtless bring Avis right to her. Thus saving him a lot of work, after all he had only brought so much ammo with him.

"Don't bother Arin, save your power when you really need it...." Avis replied drawing the end of reply out with a slight intake of breath. " Look I know this is the last thing you want to hear but I got some business I need to take care of in this rat infested slime hole. Namely Mirk, the half angel who runs said rat infested slime hole. But don't let that fool you Arin, this woman is more demon then even the King of Darkness himself." He added after the breath in passed his lips, his voice holding a sort of disdained filled amusement.Avis had always found it amusing how far angels fell when they did fall. There was never a middle ground for an angel. Even the most evil of demons would entertain a middle ground if it was either made profitable or was in their best interests.

Resuming his stride forward, his hands within quick draw range of his pistols he looked over his shoulder at Arin with a slight smile, one that spoke volumes on his otherwise impassive face. " Come on lets not keep our hostess waiting, it's bad manners you know." He threw over his shoulder, his eyes lit with just a glint of the demonic fury that fueled his power. That more then anything showed just how far he had come in such a short time. But that fury was just that a fury,a unthinking animal instinct that wanted nothing more then to shed blood till nothing stood in his way. " Come Arin, our lovely hostess awaits."

His footfalls echoed slightly on the sidewalk as if underlining his desire to hurry. Avis child of two worlds, guardian to a son of Gabriel, and demon slayer had no time to waste. After all so many demons, so little time.

[Shadow]

"Office. Now. And you'd better not bleed on my carpet,"

Bruno looked over his shoulder, his earpiece being pointed to as he turned his back, "Mirk wants me, sorry to have to cut this short." Gabriel felt surprised, this was the first time a demon had apologized to him in anyway, wither it be true or sarcasm. "Awww...I was just starting to have fun too..."

Bruno turned to leave, but snapped his fingers to summon another person, another halfbreed by Gabriel's senses. The demon wore a Karate GI and grunted as he took a serious stance. Gabriel bowed and took one of his own, similar to a street brawler.

Bruno took the stairs, he never trusted the elevator, a trait he lived by but knew it irked Mirk. He stopped at the bar right outside Mirk's office. "Mai Tai, keep the fruit fresh." Taking a napkin, he wiped the blood from his nose and clean his suit as best he could. "One Mai Tai, extra fruit." Bruno nodded and slowly strode in the office. He did not look at Mirk, fear she was in a bad mood. He set the drink on her desk and noticed the monitor viewing the Dojo.

Both fighters were exchanging blows, the demon kicked at his legs, while Gabriel landed a few blows to his face and chest. After some time, Gabriel resorted to grappling, something he believe his opponent had little if not any skills in.

Pushing his advisory up against the wall, Gabriel's feet were getting stomped on repeatedly till he lifted a knee into the demon's side. Both their eyes had changed, Gabriel's to a light blue, the others became a fiery red. He pushed harder against the wall, making it begin to crack.

Bruno shouted, speaking over the intercom "No damaging the dojo!!" He returned to standing normally next to Mirk.

Taking half a minute to let it register, Gabriel shifted his hips, roughly garbing the Gi and flipped the Demon over his hips; sending him nearly half way across the dojo to the other side. He knew he had pissed him off, being throw to the ground like that. "This has been fun thank you." Bruno got a better look at Gabriel, his clothes were torn, his face was lightly bruised and he has a small bloody lip. "Damn, that kid is good..."

He bowed and took his leave from the Dojo, only to have it cut short, "Your not leaving angel! I'm going to kill you!!" Charging at Gabriel's back, he saw him turn around slowly, as he was feet from the angel, he dove for his legs to get him to the floor. Gabriel countered lifting his right leg up over his own shoulder and brought the heel down. the crack on the top of the skull signaled the demon's defeat. "We may be more then human, Demon but our bodies are still part human...I know this blow did not kill you, but you might as well wish you are dead...come back for a rematch with a different attitude."

Taking his leave, he left the dojo with a smile on his face, he hoped there will be more fights like that.

[Ruu]

Arin nodded when Avis said that there would be no need for illusions at the moment and to save his power for later. He listened quietly to Avis' description of Mirk. So she was a half angel just as Avis was a half-demon. His eyes widened when Avis revealed that she was worse than the King of Darkness himself. How could an angel do such horrible things? Then again, the only angels Arin had ever known were his parents, so he knew he wasn't in a position to judge the actions of other angels, even if they were only half-breeds. He blinked when he realized Avis was walking forward.

Avis was right, Arin didn't particularly enjoy the idea that they were going to meet such an evil woman, but he trusted Avis completely. Avis would keep him safe, or at the very least try. He wondered what this Mirk woman looked like. It didn't sound like she would help him, even if she was an angel. Avis sounded as if he were planning of getting rid of her. Did she run the establishment down here? Did she have slaves? Was she really worse than all the demons? These questions swirled through his head, but he did not ask any of them. Instead, he hurried after Avis, striving to keep up with the half-demon's long strides. The look of demonic fury glinted in Avis' eyes, and Arin wondered if the demon slayer was preparing himself for another battle. Arin winced thinking about it. He didn't like violence at all, but Avis had saved him through violence so...It wasn't something he could judge completely. He was going to have to learn a lot in a relatively short period of time. He had some growing up to do, especially as a son of Gabriel. If his father was really involved in this war, would he be expected to take on the same duties? Arin shivered, hoping that it wouldn't be the case.

"What bad things does this lady do?" he suddenly asked as he continued to walk alongside of the warrior, "I mean..is she the leader of this whole place?"

He couldn't imagine that someone so cruel would really be in charge. If she was that bad, wouldn't someone have stopped her?

"I wonder...why Father doesn't do something to help these poor people..." he murmured, almost to himself.

[Hisoka]

"What bad things does this lady do?"

Avis smiled inwardly, his face however remained it's impassive facade, only his eyes betrayed any emotion. Those silver and ebony orbs however glinted only with demonic fury not a mental smile. He had oft asked the same question of himself, had wrestled with the philosophy that guided his hands to slay those who had chosen darkness. And although his own answers were not yet fully formed he trusted in them, for his heart believed them. And that physical embodiment of his soul had yet to lead him wrong.

" How can I put this in a way you would understand Arin?....." He wondered aloud as they strode upon the streets of the compound, his long strides echoing somewhat loudly upon the sidewalk, for the demon slayer wished to draw attention to himself. " I suppose the best place to start would be in the very nature of a half-breed. I and Mirk share this trait, being children of two worlds. You know the general behavior of angels and demons but it is humanity that is always a wild card..." And here the half-demon did smile outwardly, although it was brief and gone so fast one would swear his lips had never curved upwards. " Humans in many ways are more evil then any demon, their potential for cruelty and hatred is only outdone by their greed. But humans in many ways are also more virtuous then any angel, their potential for self-sacrifice and kindness only outdone by their compassion. And it is this duality of human nature that makes a half-breeds struggle against their inner demons and angles all that much harder. We half-breeds are particularly vulnerable during late childhood when personalities and desires begin to form fully. For us it is nurture versus nature to the extreme as it were."

Here he fell silent for a time as they walked further down the dim lit streets of the compound. All round stood the bastion of evil, the foul miasma that choked this underground city in it's foul grip. It was a poignant reminder for Avis who had grown up amongst the kindness of humanity, which despite his demonic heritage shaped him into the man he was today. Was it the evil in this place that had warped his target into what she had become, was there a child crying out for mercy underneath the shell of utter darkness Mirk had covered herself in. Or was she simply born an dark angel who slowly sank into demonhood with each passing moment. These questions were simply beyond his knowledge and capabilities.

One must view their world as black and white, to do so otherwise is to go insane. Do I even care why she turned from her angelic heritage, Mirk is simply the target nothing more. He reminded himself chidingly for walking a path of thought that benefited him not. In many ways Avis was scarcely warmer then a demon but his actions were that of an avenging angel. Demonic power used to fight the darkness, was Avis even human anymore?

" I will never serve you Father. For you wish to destroy all that I hold dear, everything that is good and just in this existence." Avis shouted, his voice echoing amongst the soul forged stone of his Father's palace. In front of him stood a black throne raised on it's pedestal,it's occupant a Dragon like demon, his scales of the darkest hue. Eyes of silver and ebony glowed with demonic fury, a naked sword sat across his lap.

All round were hosts of demons, their laughter and taunting howls silenced as Avis shouted his defiance at his father seated upon his throne.


" Truly thou art a disobedient child Avis. For what other purpose could you serve save my General. Do not throw your life away in foolish pride..."

" This is more then pride Father. I stand against you and everything you stand for. My purpose in life is for me and me alone to decide." Avis shouted once more his anger growing with each syllable that passed his lips.

Silver and Ebony eyes stared into Silver and Ebony eyes as their wills did battle.....


The memory flooded his mind, it's words and images all the proof he needed. He was no demon, and yet he could not deny his heritage. Each battle fueled by demonic fury, each time he slipped into the skin of his demonic half, his very abilities enhanced because of the blood of his father flowing through him.


" In the end though every single half-breed makes a willing choice, to embrace the light or the darkness. We have to, people like me and Mirk we'll never be whole until we do. And in the end Mirk chose the darkness, that is her sin. And all her other evils spring from it. She is scarcely an angel anymore, certainly not human either. She has become little more then a monster driven by base desires and lusts. Killing her would be doing both her and the world a favor Arin.....For only when we are closest to death do we become our true selves. And if there is even a shred of decency left within Mirk it'll show when my sword is unsheathed. For I have given each demon,angel,and person I've slain a chance to turn from the darkness and embrace the light. And I'll give Mirk the same chance....if for no other reason then so I can sleep at night."

He considered the next question as murmured as it were. His mind wanted to tell the kid angels were far too self-righteous to help anyone but themselves. But too many of the angel's precepts about the world had been shattered. Then again Arin had been sheltered for far too long as it was.

" Most of the people here are little better then scum Arin, and Angels don't give second chances like I do. Even the slaves here aren't much better, their desires lead to their enslavement or their foolishness. The few truly innocent in this hell hole are not enough to catch the attention of your Father or any angels for that matter. The hosts of heaven are far too big picture to consider invading a place like this for the sake of a few innocents. Besides a lot of Angles do business with Mirk, even a few Archangels from what I've heard and read about. Besides the peace treaty technically forbids Angels and Demons to actually interfere with each other. But there are always cracks, half-breeds like me, slaves or followers, and sometimes those in charge like to turn a blind eye for various reasons."

[wakeangel]

Eyes lowered with humility, Alejandro murmured an obedient "Yes, Mistress," to his boss' demands, leaving immediately for the limo that would cruise him down to the Chavez Market containment room. The serene, competent expression on his handsome face hid a maelstrom of seething hate within. 'Fucking bitch,' he thought, the humiliations of Mirk's most recent demands on his time and body as fresh as her claw wounds on his back.

His fingers tapped out commands on his data pad, bringing up the Market's cameras again, watching as the Emissary was escorted to the back store room and the elevator concealed there. Switching apps, he input orders for the Miramark's staff to make sure the Emissary's suite would meet the exacting standard s expected for honored guests. Then he quickly transferred his meetings and other duties for the day to underlings, but his thoughts never once changed course from malevolent contemplation of the abomination he worked for.

He hated her with a passion that bordered on obsession, but he'd endure anything, even her unwanted physical attentions, for his chance at revenge. He could have killed her many times over by now, but that wasn't enough. He wanted to bring her precious Compound down around her ears, wanted her to watch everything to turn to dust between her fingers, and then he wanted to watch the life leave her eyes bearing the knowledge that he'd done it all.

Getting there meant playing the good little lackey for now, so he was all business as he stepped out of the sleek black vehicle and strolled into the building just as the elevator dinged an acknowledgment of its passenger's arrival. The containment room was designed as a failsafe in the event of a breach. Armored doors walls and glass, environmentally sealed, and a round-the-clock contingent of Enforcers protected the Compound from dangers seeking to gain entrance.

Alejandro waved to the guards to open the containment doors, receiving looks of shock and dismay in response. Bypassing the scans and security inspections simply wasn't done, but they knew who he worked for, and leapt to comply anyway. Unconcerned with their nervousness, he slid his hands in his pockets waiting with stoic patience for his guest to exit.

“Mr Harp, I presume? My name is Alejandro Sevrille. I'm Mirk Mingus' executive assistant. She sent me here to ascertain the nature of your visit and see to your comfort for as long as you choose to stay with us.”

[Ruu]

Arin listened quietly to Avis' explanation of half-breeds. They were a new concept to him, for though there had been humans in the village, he and his mother had been the only angels there. And certainly no demons had appeared until that fateful day. He nodded solemnly when Avis said that late childhood would be the most difficult. It did make the most sense. These children living in two worlds...It must be so hard...How did they do it?

It was only when Avis fell silent that Arin's musings stopped and he became more aware of his surroundings. Avis' footsteps echoing loudly as if to attract certain attention. The dim lighting, reminiscent of the sparsity of light, not only light itself, but the light in the hearts of the inhabitants. Arin couldn't remember ever feeling so alone, yet feeling also as if he stood out like a rabbit among a pack of wolves. The wolves were prowling in the darkness, only waiting for the rabbit's protector to fall so that they could rend him to pieces. Arin closed his eyes, pushing back hot tears. He had never imagined the world could be like this...The people in the village had been so simple, so kind, so easy to understand. But here...people seemed to be ruthless and cunning, and it sounded as if one had to be in order to stay alive...The only inkling of this Arin had ever received was when he had heard his parents talking...Gabriel had said something about many humans being killed and his mother had burst into tears...It sounded from what Avis was saying that his mother was a rarity among angels because she did associate with humans regularly, and cared for them. While others...had this self-righteous attitude that prevented them from truly seeing the squalor below them. Then again, Arin had only known his parents...

He looked up when Avis spoke again, contemplating his words with an intense look of concentration on his young features. If these were to be his first lessons in the matters of the real world, he had better learn them well.

"Angels...don't give second chances?" asked Arin softly, "But...I thought..."

His voice trailed off when he realized again that he had only known his parents. Is this what angels were really like? Was he the odd one out? He also couldn't believe angels would do business with Mirk if she was as cruel as Avis had described.

"Well...It's good you give second chances though," Arin said with another sunny smile, though it did little to pierce the gloomy atmosphere, "Everyone deserves a second chance, right? I mean, I think there's light in every heart too."

He hesitated when he realized they still hadn't been challenged. Hadn't Avis said that Mirk would be waiting for them? But...if she was as bad as Avis said would she do something to hurt Avis? Or Arin himself for that matter? It seemed angels were a rarity here. If she found he didn't want to do business or whatever, would he find himself in worse trouble than he had been already. He quickly shook his head. This was a dangerous situation, yes, but Avis would be with him and had promised to protect him as much as possible. Arin believed in that promise and would hold onto it no matter.

"Will...we be meeting Mirk soon?" he asked hesitantly.

[wakeangel]

Mirk pretended not to notice the girly drink as it slid across the desk towards her, just like she pretended not to notice the beefcake head of her security detail waiting patiently for her attention or the fight onscreen that made her body tense with its need for a good match of her own. Not even Alejandro, who had proven quite knowledgeable of her preferences, knew her favorite drink. As a girl they had been occasional treats from her Daddy and thus treasured.

Up until his death, Bruno had been Mingus' favorite bodyguard and a steady presence in both their lives. She'd been glad when he stayed on under her, had relied on him heavily as an enforcer and a bodyguard in those first few, up in the air months after she took over Mingus Munitions. Everyone and everything had been out to knock her on her ass and carve the Compound into profitable slices for themselves. He'd been a constant, steady presence, never once letting her down. Add her father's preference for him, and she couldn't think of anyone she trusted more to oversee her personal safety... or bring her ridiculously decadent drinks.

The sweet lime and orange scent mixed with the heady musk of top shelf rum and wafted past her nose, calling to her. He always brought it at the perfect temperature too, so cold that small slivers of ice formed in the glass. If she waited too long, the ice would melt.

Finally, leaning back in her chair, she gave in, lifting the glass to take a sip. She always liked to savor the first taste. With a smile and a sigh of pleasure, fruity heaven burst down her throat. There was some slush to it, chilling even as the rum spread waves of warmth through her. The combination never failed to send slow tingles chasing down her spine.

Taking another sip, she studied Bruno through half-lidded eyes, trying to decide if his temporarily smushed nose made him less sexy - or more. Not that it mattered. Bruno never slept with her no matter how hard she tried to seduce him. As an adolescent with a crush, she'd tried often, and over the years, it had become something of a game between them. One she knew she'd eventually win.

With a last, sweetly exotic drink of her Mai Tai, Mirk rose and slid around the desk. A quirk of a suggestive smile curved her lips as she perched on the front of the cool expanse of marble, crossing her legs to display them better. She'd once overheard him say he loved long legs, and so enjoyed flaunting hers around him. Smile widening, she kicked off her sneakers, leaned her elbows back on the table and planted one foot square on his massive chest.

"Massage," she demanded imperiously. Only after his work-roughened fingers began their task, moving with a fluidity that closed her eyes and brought a low hum of approval to her throat, did she continue.

"I've decided to start sparring again." She threw him a quelling glance, poking his chest with the big toe of her free foot in warning. "Don't you dare stop, and before you start giving me crap about my safety and my little 'problem' with breaking my toys, just don't do that either.

"My trainer can't find me anyone worth a shit to fight, hasn't been able to for a while now. I'm getting soft and without that to take the edge off, I find myself wanting to beat the shit out of everyone I meet. That sort of thing is kind of bad for business and needs to be dealt with. I'm doing this, understood? I need it, and.... Holy Hell, but I needed this too."

She threw her head back, eyes closing again in bliss as Bruno switched feet, using his knowledge of pressure points to loosen and relax her entire body. Just as Mai Tais and other fruity alcoholic drinks had been Daddy treats, foot massages were Bruno treats, treats that often left her wondering what else those big hands of his were good at.

Sometimes a girl liked to feel weak and helpless, even when she was decidedly neither. She kept promising herself that one day she'd tear down his barriers and find out, but they both knew she had grown to respect his pseudo-professionalism and enjoy the flirtatious tension between them. Besides, enjoying the anticipation and not rushing him just meant that when it did happen, the sex would be explosive. Mirk liked explosive.

"Have the guys at legal draw up a disclaimer or something for my opponents to sign," she purred as he moved his attentions downward to her calves. The nearly forgotten security screen caught her eye as she reached over to dip her finger in her glass and suck the sweet liquor beading at its tip into her mouth. "And see that Gabriel gets one."

[Shadow]

***Bruno Post***

"And see that Gabriel gets one."

The large security guard nodded and continued with massaging the deep muscle in Mirk's legs, he knew she was up to her flirtatious ways, he was used to them. He got around to slightly above her knees and stopped, he did not have to look at her to see her shoot a look at him he was far familiar with. "I will have the disclaimers drawn up quick Mirk." He lightly bowed at her with his head and turned to leave, but checked the monitors in her office on the other side before he left to do so.

Checking the monitors, Bruno noticed a patch of paper with a few scribbled notes on it, they were written angry, possibly Mirk's writing. Whispering to himself, "What's this?" His massive hand covered the paper as he lifted it up to check the notes. Bruno had to know most if nearly all about Mirk due to his job and title next to her, as powerful as she was down here she still was part human and young. There was only two boys who he knew gave Mirk trouble, only one made her cry. Bruno killed that one with a little pleasure but he deemed it necessary.

"He is back sending Mirk messages like little kids....that punk...Im going to stop this NOW."

Pissed for the first time in a while, he checked the monitor seeing the Dojo. That kid Gabriel was out at the bar just outside the office. Not one to be rude to a client of Mirk's he strode from the office to outside, seeing the Halfbreed sipping on a soda and watching the monitor of a cage fight. "Are you looking to see Mirk at the moment?"

Gabriel took the soda from his lips and turned his head, then smiled. "Bruno!! whoa hows it going?" He remained silent, "Oh sorry no Im just here to watch this...why is that her office?" Not in the mood to play 20 questions he turned around back to the office. "Yes it is." Gabriel shrugged his shoulders at the bartender and looked back to the screen.

Never being one to use the stairs or elevator when in a hurry he opened the closest window to the alley by the side of the building. "Planto mihi cado sensim in aer" Came from Bruno's mind as he hopped from the window; a strong updraft slowed his fall immensely. The landing was a lot smoother then he normally have had before but he was on a mission.

He got a Text message, he did not look at who it was, he just messaged back 'Give me twenty minutes.'

Five minutes rolled by as he was six blocks away at a storage facility, two imp demons crawled out of the shadows, gaining his attention. "Why are you here Human?" The sound of their voice held the tone of insanity;if they began to laugh and if he was exposed to it for a cretin amount of time it would effect his mind. "I am here to see Wilson." The two exchanged looks, "We know nothing of a Wilson here."

His patience waring thing, Bruno grasped his left hoisted Desert Eagle, drawing it and fired two bullets into the Imp on his right. The bullets in his weapon had holy and unholy symbols etched onto opposite sides;he was prepared for either side to confront him. The one he did not hit took to the sky and was almost over the building, "Air vacui!!" Casting another spell, Bruno caught the demon in a suction and brought it back to him, the demon's throat rested in his hand now.

"Tell me where he is!"

"We do not know....no Wilson we do not know him!"

Starting to crush the demon's throat now, "You know him....or maybe as Kygore?"

The two were now silent, "Tell me and I will let you live." The offer of life made one of them brake right away he saw it in the one he grasp's eyes. "....I will tell you."

"No! Master will kill us!"

"Te decet mortem!" Bruno made his hand in the shape of a claw and the earth around the wounded demon lifted around it like a hand;then crashed down as Bruno closed his hand and made a fist. The earth receded, no sign of the demon anywhere. "No tell me where is he?"

He was given directions to the other side of the city, but it would take him to long at the moment and he had to get back to get those Disclaimers for Mirk right away. He traveled back to Mirk's building and entered the lobby. He took the phone at the entrance and called the appropriate people to get those disclaimers done.

"Dial Mirk."

"Transferring."

Bruno knew Mirk picked up without her speaking, "It is being filed out now Mirk."

[Immortal1]

"I love living dangerously"

Drake had a habit of keeping himself occupied by talking to himself, even to the point that it made him appear insane. That posed no problem, that was something left to be desired by him, keeping others guessing at his sanity level. Talking to one self was not his only habit or desire, he loved women wither they Human, Angel or Demon, he loved them all.

I am a living oxymoron, aren't I?" In hell he had established his hatred for humans, seeing them as weak and undeserving to be nothing more then cattle or play things to the higher beings. Angels were not equal to Demons in his eyes but he saw them greater then humans.

His thoughts were surprisingly in tacked from all the music in the Heaven/hell mixer club he was in, the only humans in the club were workers, no humans there to mingle with. The only problem with the club is Demon men had a strong habit or raping Angel women, that was a no-no, based on the treaty between realms.

"Yes I remember... Angels and Demons may only participate in the act of procreation, but not fulfill that act..."

The only thing able to brake his thoughts were fights that broke out near or next to him, which one had just at that moment. Two angel men, from his view they were bouncers of the club for Heaven's side. There was a demon who was about to rape a female angel from the look in their eyes, "Looks like the club will be shut down again for a third time this month..." He had spoken aloud, getting the Demon's attention that was dealing with the angels. "You want to help a fellow demon out?"

Drake stopped, turned and shook his head at the demon he did not know, "Your a coward, I do not like cowards."

"They are going to kill me!"

"Only by death is a warrior defeated.... and only by death is a true victory crowned..."

He walked away towards the door, only to be stopped by a duo of drunk demons, "Is the value of our kind so worthless to you!?"

Drake knew he was going to be in a fight, but he also knew he was going to get some killing done tonight...

[Hisoka]

Avis watched with a solemn silence as the angelic Arin took in his first life lesson, tears heavy behind clenched eyelids as his world shattered around him. His life must have been sheltered one indeed if he is unaware of both ancient history and the living present. But perhaps Gabriel had his reasons for keeping it from his son, even so to leave his child so under-equipped to deal with the harshness of the world of Demons and Angels seemed a horrid parenting choice. Then again Arin has none of the cynicism of an adult, none of the self-righteousness of Angel kind, and most importantly his heart holds no shadows. Perhaps Gabriel hopes to change the very nature of Heaven itself starting with his son. The kid does not lack for compassion if he can entertain showing mercy to even the foulest beings and that is what is truly wrong with heaven is their lack of compassion and understanding. The half demon mused with a both seriousness and distaste of heaven as they walked ever onwards to the goal he had come to this filthy and stinking hole in the ground.

Despite his thoughts the demon slayer questioned the wisdom of leaving a child destined to play a large part in shaping history weaponless, for a son of Gabriel could not sit on the sidelines. Fate would never be so kind, after all fate had driven this angel to the lions den where those who would rip him to pieces for mere pleasure dwell like cockroaches in their multitude. The sense of rage,anger, and blood lust hung palpable in the air as the shadows guttered the faint light that surrounded them.

They stood just beyond sight kept at bay by fear of the divine sword sheathed on his back. Their own blades kept in scabbard by fear of the anger of Mirk. Their blood lust abated to savor the sensation of a hunter closing on his prey. Avis knew well the reasons of demon kind and their ilk like the fallen angels. He was young even by human standards but 23 years lived as a son of a Demon Lord were kind to him or rather what he had become. His innate power bolstered by the will that saw him turn against the darkness of his brethren. Still even he could not deny the danger that swilled around them. The stench of corruption and evil alone was almost a physical reality.


" Yes everyone deserves a second chance Arin, even my Father I will offer one if ever should our paths cross once more." Avis replied softly more to himself then to his charge as for a moment he lost himself. He had as a child dreamed his father a great man, someone he could look up to. As childhood was left behind that one hope never truly died out even as the pragmatism of youth kicked in. A great man would never abandon his son, and a great man would be spoken of by a child's mother. He had as youth often tried to engage his mother in talk of his father. But such things were shrugged off, dismissed by the cold woman who had loved a demon. Of course the dream finally died when that fateful day had happened. He imagined it must feel a lot like what Arin was going through. He a man of 21 years world was shattered and in 2 short years he had become a demon slayer whose reputation was becoming legend. Sometimes he felt like an old man, especially as he explained to Arin the harshness of reality. Only 23 and he was an old man, a half demon with countless years ahead of him.


" Yes we will although it seems our hostess is rather lacking in manners. It seems we needs must escort ourselves to her little soiree, I do hope you have more fitting attire then your current wear." He spoke as Arin asked of Mirk." It would be in rather bad taste to show up to a high class party in rags after all." Avis added with a laugh as he shook the useless depression from his mind. The laugh seemed force, as it was more bravado then genuine amusement. But it helped in part to banish the heavy feelings Arin had woken in him unwittingly.

For even if he was a half-demon he still was half-human. And that meant more to him then the power that flowed through his veins. After all he cared for this world just as much as the next person. He wanted to protect it with every ounce of compassion and courage he could muster. And though he was still demon born and used that so called gift to the fullest extent he could without surrendering it, he still was half-human.

" Come all we need to do is follow the strongest stench, it'll leads us straight to the fat old witch called Mirk....You know I hear she is so hideous that even Lust demons kept well clear of her. After all why do you think she refuses to light this place brighter. And do you know she doesn't keep a single mirror in her house, the sight of her own faces even horrifies her."

And with that uncharacteristic attempt at humor Avis demon slayer jaunted down the street with the gait a gentleman holding a swagger stick. His steps seemed lighter, as if he was readying himself for the lighting fast reactions required of a being who took to demon slaying.

" Remember Arin, it is always darkest right before the dawn. And that no enemy is truly invincible, even the Creator himself can be defeated if the need arose. Remember that and you'll do just fine..."

Drawing his pistols in a blinding fast motion he emptied the clips into the shadows where upon the howls of the wounded monsters that infested this little piece of hell brought to earth were heard. And more to the point a body fell into the street.

Without hesitation the demon slayer drew his holy sword Punishment and thrust it clean through the heart, banishing the hell spawn back to the foul pits it crawled out of.

" First Rule, never let them see you sweat." He spoke as another demon charged from the shadows. Dancing sideways he swung the sword counter clockwise in a half moon swipe. The divine metal sliced cleanly through it's target, an arm and wing fell twitching to the ground. The demon hit the ground clutching the stumps as blood flooded the ground beneath it. Once more the holy sword found a temporary sheath in a demonic heart.

"Second Rule there is always at least one more, demons never attack alone if they can help it." He spoke with a flourish as he cleaned the gore off his blade and sheathed it on his back, then reloaded his guns. " Third rule always go for the heart, it's the only way to really banish them from this plane."

" Fourth rule the wings are a weakness for both Demons and Angels. Cut them off and it's not much different from fighting a normal human. Last rule you can slaughter these small fry till you rot and it won't accomplish much beyond pissing off their Lord and giving you a work out. Always go for the big fish, after all chop the head and the body will fall ya know."


His guns reloaded he holstered them with another blindingly fast motion. He seemed elated after the quick battle, his eyes burned with a fell light, exactly what he wanted Mirk to see. Let her glimpse his fury and think twice when he came knocking.

"Alright I am feeling it, my blood is boiling and demands release. Remember Arin never surrender and never show fear. Your going to have to get stronger if you want to truly change this world, I can't do it. All I am is a demon slayer. But your a son of Gabriel and your different from all the other angels I've met. Never forget these lessons...and never forget that compassion in your heart kid." And here he fell silent, as if to punctuate his words. He would prefer the angel's education in such matters be less abrupt but as they were going to face Mirk he needed them now. For she was a woman secure in her power both personally and in terms of power base. " But don't worry you got a long time to figure it all out Arin, after all it's one of the perks of being immortal in a sense. "

[wakeangel]

A faint whirr and a slight downdraft in a cavern full of city noises and errant breezes blown off the falls were the only indicators of the passage of Stage 2 Aerial Reconnaissance Droid UBT 3-476 v.5.1 along the sidestreets and walkways of its patrol zone. State of the art cameras and sensors swept every inch along the ARD's path, streaming data back to Central Computing for analysis by a wide array of other programs and Compound employees.

Fan blades whispering a metallic hrrrr, ARD swept around a corner. From its cruising height of eighteen feet, it ghosted past a pair of being below, scanning them along with everything else.

========================================
MALE(S): 2
FEMALE(S): 0
RACE: Half-Demon (1), Angel (1, Adolescent)
RESIDENT(S): No
VISITOR ENTRY POINT: UNKNOWN
VISITATION STATUS: UNKNOWN
========================================



The blinking red words brought ARD skimming around for another pass, powering up its weapons systems in anticipation of the order to engage.


========================================
ORIGINS: Half-Demon Male: INTRUDER
FLAGGED AS HIGH-PRIORITY LOCATE AND OBSERVE
========================================

ARD's circuts churned softly as it accessed the highlighted file.

========================================
NAME: Avis
RACE: Half-Demon
AGE: 23
HEIGHT: 6 FT.
WEIGHT: Estimated At 175 LBS.
HAIR COLOR: Black And Silver
EYE COLOR: Black And Silver
OCCUPATION: Reputed Demon Slayer
REPORT CONTACT TO: Mirk Mingus (CEO), ENFORCER
DIVISION 01, Daimon Caserez (Head Of Security), If Within
100 YDS. of Mirk Mingus, Also Report To Bruno Demaco
(Head Of Mirk Mingus' Personal Security Detail)
========================================
CONSIDERED HEAVILY ARMED AND VERY DANGEROUS
DO NOT ENGAGE
========================================

========================================
ORIGINS: Angelic Male (Adolescent):
UNKNOWN, INTRUDER
NAME: UNKNOWN
RACE: Angel
AGE: Estimated At 15 Years
HEIGHT: Estimated At 5 Ft. 5 In.
WEIGHT: Estimated At 150 Lbs.
HAIR COLOR: Blond
EYE COLOR: Green
OCCUPATION: UNKNOWN
REPORT CONTACT TO: ENFORCER DIVISION 04 SECTOR 07,
Daimon Caserez (Head Of Security), If Within 100 Yds.
Of Mirk Mingus, Also Report To Bruno Demaco
(Head Of Mirk Mingus' Personal Security Detail)
========================================

========================================
INITIATE PRIMARY PROTOCOL: ENGAGE AND DESTROY

ERROR: DO NOT ENGAGE

INITIATE SECONDARY PROTOCOL: OBSERVE AND REPORT
========================================

With a satisfaction that had nothing to do with emotion, ARD powered down its weapons and forwarded its data along the proper channels. Following observational protocol, it drew back even further. At a height and distance of thirty feet, it flowed along behind the dangerous Avis and his unknown angelic companion, streaming data as it went.

+ + +

Mirk was still smiling from her flirtations with Bruno, when her phone bleeped out a high-priority alert and then started to ring, almost at the same time. To save time, swiveled her laptop around and began tapping out the commands to bring up the alert with one hand while she answered her phone with the other.

"Yes? What do you mean Lazarus Harp left?? I had plans for him!" With a long-suffering sigh that placed the blame squarely on Alejandro's shoulders and boded ill for his immediate future, Mirk lipped a cigarette. She glanced down, fumbling around on her desk for a light in time to see a data stream from one of the ARDs resolve onto her laptop screen. Avis had been found. Awesome.

"Whatever," she snarled into her phone at Alejandro, trying to juggle her cigarette and phone and still scroll through the files attached to the camera feed. "Just get your ass back here." She ended the conversation on a stream of smoke and lipped the cigarette again before setting down her phone.

Both hands free, she turned her full attention to the screen. Big bad-ass Avis...and an angel? Big bad-ass Avis...and a kid? What the hell? Probably someone's slave Avis was planning on setting free....but, no. All slaves in the Compound were registered and locator chipped. This kid came back with neither. Whoever he was, he didn't belong here. That meant that wherever he did belong, there were probably people looking for him. That bewildered, vaguely horrified look had no place on someone used to taking care of themselves.

'Well, well, well,' she thought. Whether as willing ally, dupe or hostage, the angel kid might be of use. "I might not need the Emissary after all," she murmured with satisfaction as she took manual control of the ARD from her laptop.

[Shadow]

Walking the halls of the building, Gabriel looked lost. This was the first time he was in a very large structure and it was not working well for him. "Crap I'm lost...wheres that Bruno guy when I need directions..." Not soon after he said that he felt three small taps on his lower back. Turning around he did not see anyone immediately but then he peered down. There was a little Japanese looking girl in the same style of suit Bruno and what he would assume Mirk wore as well. "Hi."

The girl was preppy and squeaked out the word. Squeaky kids slightly bothered Gabriel, the Child Micheal he watched over before he was killed was quiet and when he spoke was still very much quiet. "Ummm....hello...?"

"I have been told to give you this disclaimer straight from the head of the company!"

"You mean--"

"Why yes, Mirk herself, you should feel privileged, tehee!"

He took the form and then looked it over a little and noticed the girl still standing there, "Are you really a kid or...what?" Gabriel never encountered a child demon or angel and could not read then if they were one.

She smiled and ran around him several hundred times in a few moments. "Im a Speed Demon, I do various tasks for Mirk and Bruno." Gabriel was a little shocked to answer, he had heard of speed demons....just figurative one. "Be sure to fill out that form and give it to either Bruno or Mirk, the latter will be the best choice...rumor is she likes you a little." Gabriel rolled his eyes a little at that remark and he thanked her and walked away to go fill out the form...

---

Bruno was pacing back and forth in front of the large door to Mirk's office, he had wanted to get rid of the pain in Mirk's side that male that caused her grief but he could not at the moment. He stopped pacing and turned forward and walked into her office with a beverage for himself. Mirk was heavy on her computer and he slipped behind her and waited for her to notice him...

As time went on a knock on the door made him look up in that direction, he was not halfway across the room when it opened, Gabriel poking his upper half inside, "Oh hey Bruno, I filled out that form you wanted..."

[Ruu]

Arin's body shivered with fear as he sensed the darkness closing in around them. It was always there, that palpable darkness mixed with anger, rage, hate...But now it was closer...The demons were gathering! He slipped closer to the half-demon, a hand reaching out to hold onto him for safety and support before it withdrew. No...if he acted as a coward, he would only hinder Avis and perhaps they would both die...Instead, he stood silently by Avis' side, body beginning to glow softly. Perhaps, just perhaps his light would be of some help...It seemed like if he didn't learn how to at least defend himself, there would be no escape from the wretched underground.

The angel child nodded at Avis' words of redemption, and even smiled briefly at Avis' wry humor. It was then that Avis moved forward, towards the stench of darkness no less, but Arin trusted the warrior completely. He would follow wherever his new-found friend would go. As the demons came upon them, however, he could not hold back a cry of fright. With surprising speed and utmost precision, Avis began to cut through their ranks, never hesitating and all the while imparting lessons to the young angel...Never let them see you sweat...Demons never attack alone...Aim for their heart...Go for the wings...And target the leader...Never forget these lessons...And never forget the compassion in your heart. For those few moments, it was as if time had been frozen...And then...the full weight of the battle began to unfold around them. For a while Arin was able to stay at Avis' side, his light causing some of the weaker demons to shy away. Once, when they got too close, Arin closed his eyes and for a few moments a dragon of golden light seemed to appear. The demons hesitated in fear, allowing Avis to quickly dispose of them. But more continued to pour from the dark depths...It seemed as if they were endless. Already Arin was breaking the first rule as sweat poured down his face, exhaustion in his eyes. The demons were starting to see through the illusions and no longer feared the unexpected apparitions.

Avis didn't know what happened in the next few moments, but suddenly everything was black. He felt suffocated...stifled...as if the very tendrils of darkness had closed around him and were sucking the light from him...Just when he felt he couldn't take it anymore, the darkness faded away yet there still was not much to see...A forbidding concrete wall...guards...security cameras...And cruel claws wrapped around his body, slightly digging into his flesh...He felt groggy and lightheaded as if he had been drugged...The evil presence that held him captive sickened him, causing his stomach to roil with fear...

"Darn it Mirk...I don't have all day! I brought you a present! The least you could do is open up and wave these foolish security protocols!" snarled a voice, sinister and dark, a voice that was used to being obeyed though there was apprehension even as he spoke the powerful woman's name.

The demon hadn't seemed to notice that his young captive had awakened. And therefore he was stunned as an angelic figure in armor swung at his head with its great sword. The sword wasn't real, of course, but the light energy coursing through the veins of the apparition caused the demon to stagger and to drop his prize. Arin wearily got to his feet, spreading his wings in preparation for flight. He had to get out of here! Avis had said to find a church...If he fell into Mirk's clutches, he didn't know if he'd see the light of day again...

[wakeangel]

The remnants of Mirk's drink shattered against the door near Gabriel's face, spraying glass shards, melted ice chips, and a broken paper umbrella across its matte black surface. Still engrossed in her computer, Mirk waggled an absentminded finger in his direction. "Bruno has earned the right to enter my office without knocking. You. Haven't." As if brushing a speck away, she flicked her long fingers. "Now get that nicely-rounded ass of yours out and try again before I serve it up for supper. "

Mirk paused for a moment, then said in a speculative voice, "Heeeyyyy, you know, some of my dinner guests tonight would enjoy that very much indeed.... " She tilted her head to the side, looking up and away as she pursed her lips in thought. Long strands of her purple-streaked hair brushed her thigh as she toyed with the idea. "Nah," she finally decided, "I guess I'll give you another chance. Besides, I'm in the mood for Chinese." People or food, she didn't specify, fiddling idly with the ARD's controls while watching the show unfolding on her laptop.

Some demons looking for a good time had surrounded the pair. It was kind of cute watching the little angel boy fight his obvious desire to cling to Avis for safety. Avis was a joy to watch in and of himself, all deadly edges and economical grace as he fought. Pissants like this shouldn't take him long to deal with, but they were doing her a favor because they stalled him long enough for Enforcer Division 1, some of the baddest, toughest, most dangerous demons on her payroll to move into position. They arrived in time to engage Avis, but too late to intercept the little kink in the works that was an angel-nabbing demon.

"That bastard is trying to steal my new toy!" Mirk snapped indignantly. Leaving the demon slayer to the Enforcers, she swung around in pursuit of the kidnapping thief. Via scan, the ARD identified him as a visitor, one who had requested, and been denied an appointment with her. Since the demon was heading in the right direction, and didn't seem to have plans to damage her prize- at least not yet, anyway, she decided she might as well let him be her pack mule.

To her gratification, the stupid creature carried the boy straight to her- and then stood on the steps of her 35-story skyscraper shouting for her like some kid looking for a playdate. Sheer idiocy. Powering up the Ard's weaponry, she swung it around to face him head on. Using her mic, she blared through the ARD's speakers in her cold, luscious voice:

"You dare try to dictate terms to ME?" Mirk saw a weak flutter of movement from the angel. "If I were to waive security protocols for you, it would be to have you escorted straight to my dojo, where I would rip you apart with my bare hands just for the fun of it. Now, set the angel down and leave before I change my mind and blow you head o-..."

Her laptop screen flared in a momentary blaze of light as the ARD's cameras struggled to process the light of the angel's illusion. The demon dropped the boy and took a step back, and Mirk wasted no time in opening fire. With practiced skill she shot small, tight groupings down its body, just like her Daddy had taught her- eyes, throat, chest, belly and groin. Weak spots differed from demon to demon and appearances could sometimes be misleading. So, when faced with an unfamiliar type or using a low-powered weapon like the ARD's, Death Row, as she called it, was the best option.

Mr. Angel Thief was no exception. He dropped like a stone, staining the steps with black ichor from his ruined face and body. Knowing her aim to be true, Mirk dismissed the demon without further thought. The angel was struggling to his feet, his wary gaze searching for a way out, wings flexing in preparation for flight.

"Where do you think you're going, Mister?" Mirk's question, broadcast through ARD, bore with it an amused kind of queenly-ness. "There's nowhere to fly to, no exits to the surface out in the cavern. And besides, I can follow anywhere you go in this thing. So, how about you come inside? We'll get you fixed up, get you something to eat, and then we can talk. Hmmm?"

Muting the mike, she said to Bruno. "Go get him. Clean him up, patch him up and bring him here. Got it?"

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